Secretarial Services - Virtual Assistants Career Outlook

Career Outlook for Virtual Assistants
By India Jordan

Government career outlook predictions aren't developed yet for the Virtual Assistance industry, whether that's because it's a relatively new field or because the tasks done by VAs are as varied as the VAs themselves remains to be seen. One has to examine similar fields and skill-sets to see how VAs will fare in the years to come. By looking at these similar fields, you can see that the growth outlook for Virtual Assistance is above average. The question of "Will this job still be around in 20 years?" can be answered by looking at the services that a specific VA is offering and closely-related "traditional" employment fields.

The most important thing to remember, though, is to keep current with technology and software that can progress your business. If you only know outdated technology, then you and your business are outdated and your clients may go elsewhere for service. Keep adding to your services and learn everything you can about your niche market and what they currently need.

With many businesses restructuring and downsizing (getting rid of middle managers), companies are utilizing more and more secretarial and administrative support staff to take over those duties. If you offer administrative support as a VA, and market yourself as an off-site solution to those downsizing companies, your "job security" looks pretty good. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that you will have competition from on-site employees for these positions.

If you offer more specialized services than administrative support, you have different chances for sustaining an ongoing career. Here are two examples:

If you offer Public Relations (PR) services, your occupational outlook is rosy. With so many different types of organizations -- such as businesses, nonprofits, universities, hospitals and more - looking for media specialists and PR specialists to do more than just "tell their story." Creativity, initiative, good judgment and the ability to communicate effectively are some of the skills necessary to succeed in this job. There's lots of competition in this role, but employment/contracts for PR specialists is expected to grow faster than average, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

If you offer Desktop Publishing services, your occupational outlook is also great. Many companies are beginning to outsource these services, as opposed to having in-house staff. With experience and/or a degree in graphic design or a related field, desktop publishers have a variety of different organizations to market themselves to. VAs offer an affordable alternative to hiring a graphic design firm.

Whether you specialize in desktop publishing and graphic design or public relations or another niche specialty, it's clear that Virtual Assistance is catching on and the VAs who are out there aren't going anywhere. With more and more employers and companies looking to outsource projects turning to offsite personnel to fulfill these needs, the view of using "virtual" workers is changing. It's no longer as common to hear objections such as "How do I know you'll really be working?" when proposing using a VA to someone who never has before. Many people have heard of VAs now or know someone who uses theirs. In most cases, once someone has a VA on their team, they don't turn back to in-house staff to fulfill those duties.

To check out similar fields' occupational outlooks, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2006-07 edition) put out by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov.

If you're an aspiring Virtual Assistant, claim your free e-report "Virtual Assistant Business: A Basic Guide to Start Your Own" at http://www.virtualassistantbusiness.com. VirtualAssistantBusiness.com is a resource site for current and aspiring Virtual Assistants.

Secretarial Services-Becoming an entrepreneur

Key Secrets to Becoming a Great Entrepreneur
By Laurie Hayes

You may have an exceptional product that can improve the lives of many.

You may provide a service that is second to none.

BUT …

if you don't have exceptional sales skills, you will lose out on many an opportunity to demonstrate or provide value to anyone.

The most important, yet least developed business skill in many small and home-based business owners is selling.

You may associate selling to undergoing a root canal because of the bad experiences you have had with sales people.

Lack of effective sales skills is a major contributor to the demise of a business.

The great thing to realize is that selling is a skill. It is not something you are born with. It is a skill that is learned and cultivated.

Do some people seem to be naturals at it? You bet! I am in awe of some people who seem to just learn a technique and after practicing it once, are off to the races like they've been doing it for years.

For others, a little more practice and polishing may be required, but in the end, they can be just as effective and successful as those who seem to have it mastered right out of the gate.

A major block in selling is the stereotype of salespeople. When I say, "Salesperson" to you. What immediately comes to mind?

Do you see a fast talker in a bad suit?
Is this person arrogant and pushy?
Does this person hear a word you're saying or does he/she speak over you?
Does this person ignore your questions?
Is this person a know-it-all?
Will this person not take "No" for an answer?
If you raise a concern will this person make you feel stupid?

I had first titled this article, "Key Secrets to Being a Great Salesperson," but recognized that just by using the word, "Salesperson," fewer people would read the article.

The negative or positive association of a word is powerful!

Although you are an entrepreneur, you are also a sales person. You are in the business of selling a product or service to others.

How would you like to be viewed as a salesperson? Would you like others to see you as:

Authentic?
A good listener?
Genuinely concerned for the best interests of the buyer?
Understanding?
Professional?
A person of high integrity?
Trustworthy?
Knowledgeable?
Honest?

These are not only skills. They are behaviors; behaviors that must be embraced and practiced.

Others may have a better product or service, or lower price than you, but clients and customers will naturally gravitate to the seller who makes them feel valued, respected and heard.

I'm sure you have been in a situation where you opted for a product or service you didn't originally have in mind because of the way the salesperson made you feel.

I know I have.

Buyers need to know the facts and benefits of a product or service, but they also need to have a sense of relationship with the salesperson.

Take a look at yourself from the buyer's perspective. How are you coming across? Does the prospective customer or client walk away from your interaction feeling empowered, valued and understood?

These skills are not only necessary for selling products or services. You sell yourself to others every single day.

How you make people feel determines whether or not they want to do business or have any other type of relationship with you.

Keep these thoughts in mind as you go throughout your day.

Become aware of the impression you create for others and if you are not satisfied with the results, modify your behavior, measure again and keep fine-tuning until you see positive results.

Become the kind of salesperson people will recommend to their friends and acquaintances and watch your business grow.

Laurie works with home-based business owners who face the distinct challenges presented when working from home. She is the author of numerous articles and a bi-weekly newsletter, "The Heart of Living."
Website URL http://www.wheretheheartis-lifecoaching.com

Secretarial Services - Home Based Medical Transcription

If you have typing skills, you should seriously consider a medical transcription at home career. You can start small and build up your business at your own pace, in your spare time.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical transcriptionists can expect job opportunities to be good. Government job information data suggests that employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.

My friend Michelle has helped many people start a medical transcription business. She can help you too.The Step-by-Step Guide To Medical Transcription at Home. Visit http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com/medical-transcription.html

Below is an article written by Michele.

A Medical Transcription At Home Career

by Michele Miller

As a medical transcriptionist, I get asked several times a month how I got started in this business. So many people nowadays want to work from home, especially mothers with young children. That's the primary reason I started my home business ten years ago, so I could be there for my daughter. I didn't want someone else taking care of her after school instead of me.

It's really not hard to start a medical transcription business. The start-up costs are low compared to many other home-based businesses.

You need a form of education, via home study courses or by attending your local community college. You do NOT need a degree in medical transcription to start a business either. In a short amount of time, usually nine months or less, you can be working from the comfort of your own home, just like me.

You will need some equipment, such as a computer, a printer, a transcriber, and some reference books. All of which can be purchased second hand if need be. The latest and greatest equipment is not necessary to get started.

Now, there are some special skills you will need, outside of the education, which include:

Ability to type - your speed will increase with experience.
Excellent grammar skills.
Good listening skills.
Basic computer skills with a work processing program.
Research skills.
Must be detail oriented.
Ability to work on your own.
Ability to maintain work deadlines and be a self-motivator.You will also need some computer programs such as a medical spellchecker and a word expander utility to cut down on the amount of actual typing you do. Some programs, such as Microsoft Word® include this type of utility. It is the best invention by far, in my opinion.
Basic bookkeeping is necessary, but not difficult. A good bookkeeper is great to have when it comes to taxes and advising you about saving money with tax deductions for your business.
Medical transcription is usually paid by the amount of work transcribed. Therefore, it is quite normal to charge your clients by the line. If you charge 13 cents per line and type 200 lines per hour, (this is a very comfortable speed to type) your hourly rate would end up being about $26.00.

Being self-employed does have some pitfalls. One must consider, as with any home based business, that once you become self-employed you are responsible for securing your own health insurance, and putting away money for retirement.

However, there are many positive things about being self-employed, as I'm sure you can imagine. For me, what I love the most, is the flexibility I have with my time. If I want to work late in the day I can, and if I want to work early in the morning, that's up to me. Running a home-based medical transcription business is a lot of fun.

Medical transcription is not for everyone, and it is important before venturing into any business that you weigh up the pros and cons of it all and do what is best for your situation.

Michele has helped many people start their own medical transcription business. She can help you too. She is the author of The Step-by-Step Guide To Medical Transcription at Home. Visit http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com/medical-transcription.html

Secretarial Services - It's Your Business

It's Your Home Business - Will It Sink Or Swim?

by Michele Miller

Businesses fail for many different reasons. Here's what you should be thinking about so that your business is not one that sinks, but one that swims and stays afloat!

If you're looking at a new business, make up a business plan, include your goals and financial projections. YOU need to know more than anyone where you are headed. Your business plan doesn't have to be drawn up by a professional business planner, you can do it yourself. Write down the hard costs of getting the business started and maintained, including costs of licenses, equipment, inventory etc. Don't forget to include how much income you will need to be bringing in, or have saved up until you start to show a profit. Always have a Plan-B in place. Lack of planning will have your business sinking in no time at all.

Business owners are generally "go-getters", which means they are usually hard workers.Staying disciplined, even for the hard worker can be difficult at times, especially when there is no boss or supervisor around to crack that whip and make you do your work.Getting lazy and not being productive with your business is a surefire way to sink it.

Here are some tips to keep you on track and keep your business afloat.

Daily "to do" lists are constant reminders that keep you on track. They keep you motivated, and it feels good to cross things off as you get things done. You need to have a sense of accomplishment, and this helps serve that purpose.

Push your business to new heights every day by doing just a little bit more than you need to. This will ensure that it will SWIM

Break up your day into segments; plan your day properly.Give yourself a proper work time schedule and try to stick with it. Even if you don't work 9-5 anymore, pretend you do. Having your own home business often means working more than eight hours a day to turn a profit. Be prepared for that. That way you will SWIM and not SINK.

Give yourself a proper lunch break.This will give you a routine and give you something to look forward to.Reward yourself for keeping up with your work.It will keep you positive and motivated.

Post inspiring quotes and verses in your home business area.

Don't allow friends and family to drop by and take up your time. In the beginning, I had friends that thought because I worked from home that I could sit around and chat with them all day longŠ It's amazing that they think this, but they do. Be firm with them. My friends now know that they had better call before they "pop in for a coffee", and I do tell them "no" if it's not convenient. Lazing around watching TV or chatting with friends is 100% guaranteed to help SINK your business.

Another time taker is the telephone. I screen my calls and let the machine pick up almost all day, unless it is about business. Caller ID was a super investment! It will help your business to have Caller ID. I promise.

Mentally remind yourself from time to time that one of the reasons your home business can fail is procrastination.The fear of this should help keep your business on the right track.

I think you know what bad employees can do to a business; be careful who represents you/works for you.

If you don't have time to do your work and work your business, it's bound to SINK! Don't let other aspects of life get in the way. Sure the car needs washing, the laundry needs doing, the house needs cleaning, you need to get other things done, but not during business hours. The key here is to PRIORITIZE properly and take your business seriously.

Try and get some daily exercise. It refreshes you and clears the mind. It will help you stay positive. Plus, it's good for you.

Network with other "successful people" who own a similar type of business. If you are having trouble finding these people, try your local Chamber of Commerce, or just contact other business owners. Try to learn from people who have been successful; make sure they¹ve walked the walk before you take their advice.

Taking this advice will hopefully give you some ideas about keeping your business afloat, swimming, and very successful.

To Your Success!

Michele Miller is a home-based business owner and a medical transcriptionist.
She is also the author of The Step-by-Step Guide To Medical Transcription at Home. Michelle has
helped many people start their own medical transcription business. She can help you too. Click here for details.

Top Recommended Medical Transcription Resources

Medical transcription at home is legitimate work and a real at home business. Do you want to make $25.00 to $35.00 an hour? If you have typing skills, you should seriously consider a medical transcription at home career.
You can start small and build up your business at your own pace, in your spare time.You don't have to give up a job to start medical transcription at home if you don't want to.

My friend Michelle has helped many people start their own medical transcription business. She can help you too.The Step-by-Step Guide To Medical Transcription at Home. Click here for details.

Home Study Courses

medical transcription
medical terminology
paralegal

More Medical Transcription Resources

Article: How Michele started her medical transcription at home career. Click here.

Article: It's Your Home Business - Will It Sink Or Swim? Click here.

Daniel has created a great FREE word expander program for medical transcriptionists. Check it out at http;//www.mtbot.com.

Check out this great resource site for medical transcriptionists.

Resources for medical transcriptionists, including office supplies, transcription machines, software, computers, and computer accessories. Click here.

Secretarial Services - How to become a medical transcriptionist

How does one become a medical transcriptionist?
MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.:

For an experienced word processor, it is possible to learn medical transcription while working in an entry-level position, but it is rare because of the need to learn medical vocabulary and formats. Some colleges and hospitals offer classes, and there are several home-study courses available.

MTs work in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals and transcription services. They also work from home, usually after 2-3 years of experience in an office or hospital. With more experience, MTs go on to teach, supervise, consult, edit and write in the field.

Step-by-Step Guide to Medical Transcription at Home, book by Michele Miller, http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com/medical-transcription.html

How to Be a Medical Transcriptionist, book by Cynthia Peavler Bull, http://www.cynrje.com/medicaltranscriptionist.htm

Medical Transcription, Getting Started,
book by AnnaBelle Berg, http://medical-transcription-gettingstarted.com

How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist, book by George Morton, CMT, http://www.workingfrom.homestead.com
609-924-4748, georgecmt@aol.com, Interview, 11/98

Secretarial Services - Medical Transcription program

Technologically Boosting the Medical Transcription Company
By Joe Miller

Medical Transcription Company

Virtually every medical service provider dictates SOAP notes into recorders for transcription and sends them off to a medical transcription company to transcribe and return a refined copy of necessary medical information.

In fact, without the medical transcription company the medical service provider would be too overburdened with transcription to pay the attention it needs to its clients. However, the medical transcription company has had to undergo technological changes in order to keep up with demand and with competition. Fast-paced medical service requires fast-paced medical transcription. So, which medical transcription company will survive? The answer is the one that takes advantage of time-saving technology.

Medical Transcription

This answer is not at all uncommon now-a-days, but it is especially challenging in the field of medical transcription. Medical transcription is just as it sounds: transcribing on paper the notes that were audio recorded. It doesn’t seem at first that much more technology is needed than a word processor and a cassette tape player.

The crux of the matter is controlling quantity. Effective records of SOAP notes, especially in the quantities supplied by medical offices, require the technological ability to not only record medical transcription but also to track it and store it.

Medical Transcription Job

The medical transcription job would be daunting at best without the help of technology. Let me review a general version of a medical transcription job check list:

1. Receive tapes from medical service provider.

2. Transcribe 1st draft of SOAP notes.

3. Save transcription.

4. Continue process with entire batch.

5. Review medical transcription for errors.

6. Make changes on 1st draft of medical transcriptions.

7. Send medical transcriptions back to medical service provider.

8. Bill medical service provider.

This process most often overlaps itself due to the management of multiple batches from multiple service providers. Organizational skill is high up on the requirements list for a medical transcription specialist.

Medical Transcription Program

Due to the massive amounts of medical transcription jobs and batches continually being sent back and forth between medical service providers and the medical transcription company, the market has awakened to meet medical transcription needs. Looking for a medical transcription program is so easy, it’s hard. Just type “medical transcription program” into Google, Yahoo, or MSN and witness first hand the millions of indexed pages you might have to sift through.

In your search for a versatile medical transcription program suitable to medical service providers’ needs, there are a few things to keep in mind. A medical transcription program has the ability to work in house, without IT infrastructure overhead.

There are additional medical transcription program specs to keep an eye out for. For example, a medical transcription program which combines the secure storage of medical databases and medical transcription provides the security and accessibility a medical service provider needs.

The right medical transcription program also provides organization for tracking the editorial stages of the SOAP notes and securing them, as well as sending them back to the right medical service provider.

The medical service provider runs a race of efficiency and professionalism in order to stay in business. The right medical transcription program provides a technological boost to propel medical service providers ahead of the rest of the pack.

Joe Miller is an author of informational articles and online advertisements on business, technology, and health. Information on Medical Transcription Company is available at AdvancedMD.com.

Secretarial Services - Fear of starting a business

Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?
by Michele Miller

Every year more and more people are working from home, starting their own businesses. Men and women, even teenagers are starting their own home business ventures. In the last ten years work-at-home businesses have tripled, according to statistics. I think it's probably more than that actually. Just look at how many people make a living selling things on EBay!™

It's no wonder really why so many people want to work at home and there are a vast amount of good reasons why.

The costs of traveling, including vehicle maintenance, the cost of gas, child-care, and dry-cleaning, are just a few good reasons why it's cheaper to stay home and work, right?!

Not having to answer to a boss or a supervisor is another great reason too. Being able to set your own hours and work when you want to work is a definite plus as well.

Some people can't see how they are going to do it though. I mean, how are you going to give up work and replace that income and not worry about how you are going to pay the bills? It's impossible, right? -- Wrong! -- It's not impossible, and it will take some hard work at first, and some extra working hours, but you can do it if you want to badly enough.

Choose a business that will allow you to work in your spare-time and keep your job, and you have eliminated the risks. This is not possible in all circumstances, but for the small business person, it's the ideal way to go. If this is not possible, make sure you set aside enough income to live on while you get your business established.

There's going to be some sacrifice in the short term, such as working extra hours in the week building your business. But those kind of sacrifices will still allow you to sleep at night and not put you in the poor house, thereby increasing your chances of success!

A lot of people do some "side work, or extra work" at first to gain customers or to save up some extra cash to start a business or pay for inventory. I know one mechanic who did some evening and weekend work so he could save enough money to buy his own tools and work out of his garage at home, for himself. Now that garage has grown into two workshops in his back yard and he employs another mechanic to help him out.

I have two friends who do the home parties. One lady sells Mary Kay and the other lady sells candles. Both are quite successful. The lady who sells the candles has only been doing so for just over eighteen months and her income exceeds $50,000 per year. Once you have the vision of working from home, you will find a way to make it happen.

You need DISCIPLINE AND MOTIVATION. That's as important as your business idea. You need to be a go-getter kind of person to have your own business. You need to be willing to get things off the ground yourself, and often willing to work for no financial return at first, or very little financial return. It helps to have vision; you have to sow the seeds to see the flowers. Overnight success is quite rare.

You can help yourself stay motivated by making a "to do list", and "working your business" every day in some small or big way. It doesn't really matter as long as you have a "plan" and keep chipping away at it until it happens. You hear people say all the time that you need to set your goals, well that's great advice, and a "to do list" will enable you to cross off things as you work through them, giving you a feeling of accomplishment as well.

If you really have the dream of working for yourself out of your home, it is possible, you just have to be determined to find a way to do it. Millions of people are realizing this dream, - you can make it happen for you too!

Michele Miller is a home-based business owner and the author of an ebook about starting a Profitable Medical Transcription At Home Business. ://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com/medical-transcription.html

Secretarial Services - legitimate home businesses

Avoid the Home Based Business Scams and Find a Legitimate Home Business!
by Michele Miller

Nowadays, there are so many scams around! People who take advantage of innocent people since they know so many of us want to work from home.

Remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! But, you need to know more than that if you are to truly avoid getting ripped off.

I think it's good advice to give when I say, AVOID anything that talks about stuffing envelopes, pyramid schemes, and people that say you can make $2,512.16 cents working in your pajamas in the next 24 hours etc. Yes, you've heard about these golden opportunities before, I'm sure. Now there may be some legitimate stuffing envelope opps out there, but most are just a way to get your money and give you a list of companies that might pay you to stuff envelopes, but they don't give you the actual opportunity! Usually the information you're given is to place the same type of ad yourself.

Don't pay for lists of companies that provide work at home. If somebody needs an employee, it's up to them to advertise where people can find the opportunity, and not where people have to pay to see the opportunity. These lists are usually a list of companies straight from your phone book and these companies have no idea they are even on a list that has been sold to you!

If anybody tries to pressure you into joining a multi-level marketing company, take the time to think about it and make sure it is a reputable business opportunity that you even want to consider joining. Don't let yourself be pressured into anything. A lot of these are legitimate, but some are not.

Ask for references, testimonials etc. Check there have been no complaints against the company by checking with the Better Business Bureau etc. Most larger businesses do belong to this association. Also, check with the National Fraud Information Center http://www.fraud.org You can also check http://www.groups.google.com and see from the newsgroup postings if anybody has reported a scam.

The US Chamber of Commerce now apparently has more members than any other small business association. This can be an important resource when it comes to your business. They offer members all kinds of advice about starting and maintaining a business, and even have workshops you can go to. They also help their members get discounts on various products and services, from office supplies to health insurance.

Look around your area for other small business associations before joining the Chamber of Commerce. There may be other associations better suited to your needs.

The SBA (Small Business Association) has been around since 1953. http://www.sba.gov/ They have helped provide many small companies with business loans and other professional advice. Definitely worth checking out their website.

http://www.score.org/findscore/ This is an outstanding association. The SCORE Association is a national nonprofit organization. SCORE's 10,500 volunteers provide small business counseling and training through a network of 389 chapters, 800 branches and its Web site is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

There are legitimate work at home opportunities available, but you must do diligent research before succumbing to any of them, especially the ones that seem too good to be true.

Michele Miller is a home-based business owner and a medical transcriptionist. She is also the author of an E-book about how to become a home based medical transcriptionist. You can visit her website at: http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com/medical-transcription.html

Secretarial Services - Prevent failure

Why does a business fail and what can you do to stop it?
by Michele Miller

I believe the number one reason why a business will fail is lack of planning. This can be due to various reasons, perhaps because the market research wasn't sufficiently carried out in the first place, or because the financial burden was higher than was planned for etc.

Sometimes business failure happens because the business owner is not very savvy at other aspects of the business, such as management, promotion, branding, advertising, public relations, leadership, bookkeeping, or customer follow-up etc. It is important to get the necessary training to ensure all aspects of your home business run efficiently, or to hire help to manage these other aspects.

Here are some other reasons to consider:

1. Inadequate accounting records 2. Disregarding or misinterpreting financial records 3. Not controlling costs 4. Fraud due to poor internal control 5. Pricing goods or services too low as a way of getting customers or clients 6. Lack of marketing/selling skills 7. Not carrying adequate and appropriate insurance 8. Failing to adequately train and develop employees 9. Lack of goal and business advancement planning 10.Not seeking advice or professional help when necessary.

If you know that most businesses fail because they don't bother to plan properly, what can you do to ensure this won't happen to your business?

Have your own business and marketing plan and use it every day! Review your goals on a daily basis.

Use that to-do list every day, making sure to cross off your accomplishments. Then make a fresh list every morning of what is left to do, and what other things need to be accomplished in your business/work day.

Be ready to talk about your business in every encounter you have during the day. Practice a 30 second speech about your business so you are always ready to share it with people, and make sure you ALWAYS carry business cards with you. It looks professional too.

Hire people to do the work that you are not good at, so your business doesn't fail due to your weaker points.

Have a Plan-B! Put money by for a rainy day.

Find a mentor, someone in your field that can help and encourage you with your business.

Join a small business association where you can network with others in your field of business.

Work hard and stay motivated.

You can make your business a success with the proper planning!

Michele Miller is a home-based business owner and medical transcriptionist. She is also the author of an ebook about starting a successful transcription business from home. http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com/medical-transcription.html

Secretarial Services - Outsourcing

How to Use Outsourcing to Beat Your Competition

Note from Leva: When promoting your secretarial services, sell benefits. The article below explains why business need to oursouce. Those business are your clinets.

Outsourcing is when you hire outside professionals or services to take on part of your business workload.You may want to outsource part of your work because you don't have the room, you need an expert, you have periodic busy periods, or you need more production to get orders out on time etc. You could outsource accounting, secretarial tasks , factory help, computer training, web design etc. Below are ways to use outsoursing to beat your competition.

By outsourcing part of your workload you can save time and spend more time concentrating on beating your competition.

-you won't have to take time training new employees

-you won't have to do time consuming tasks like adding on new equipment

-you won't have to learn a new software program or other equipment

-you won't have to interview employee candidates

-you won't have to fill out all the complicated employee paper work like tax forms, scheduling, retirement plans etc.

By outsourcing part of your workload you can save money and spend more money on marketing or advertising to beat your competition.

-you won't have to buy extra office and other equipment

-you won't have to buy extra office or work space

-you won't have spend money on employee costs like; taxes, medical, vacation time, holidays, workers comp., unemployment costs etc. (these may vary by which country you do business)

There are many other ways outsourcing can help you beat your competition. Here are a few more:

-the extra help can help you complete and deliver orders faster

-you could expand your market share by becoming the middleman and offering your subcontractors services or products

-you could end up getting orders from your subcontractors

-it will allow your business to take on extra or large orders

Julia Tang publishes "Smart Online Business Tips", a fresh
and informative newsletter dedicated to supporting people
like you. To find out the best online business opportunities,
to discover hundreds more proven and practical internet
marketing secrets, plus FREE internet marketing products
worth over $200, visit: http://www.best-internet-businesses.com

Secretarial Services - Setting up your office

The article below gives a good overview of the supplies you need to start your secretarial business or any other business. Leva.

Setting up Your Office

New Office or Home Office

Calculator
Correction Fluid
Desk Calendar
Dictionary/Thesaurus/Software Manuals
In/Out Bins
Copy Paper
Paper Clips, Binder Clips, Paper Clip Holder
Pens
Pencils, Pencil Cup/Tray, Pencil Sharpener
Scissors
Stapler, staple remover
Tape Dispenser

New Office Only

If you don’t find all of the above at your desk, when time permits, find out how to obtain them or who can supply you with them. Also inquire about location of supply closet, heavy duty staplers, paper cutters, company letterhead and envelopes, postage machine(s), copy machine(s), fax machine(s), scanner(s), company telephone extension and email list (if one exists), who to contact for phone/computer problems and supply ordering and which network drives files are saved in.

Write down company fax number, your direct line/extension (and any other important extensions), switchboard numbers, company website address as well as your new email address. Post all nearby and keep a copy with you.

If company has an Organization Chart, get a copy and fill in extensions plus any other pertinent information regarding your department. Put in an easily accessible place.

Request company Policies and Procedures manual. Be sure to read it through in your spare time, along with your health insurance package, if you will be getting health benefits.

This list of essentials may seem obvious, but it will save you a lot of time and frustration, especially when you’re rushing to get that first project completed by yesterday.

Good Luck!

Copyright © 2006 Ella D. McGhee - This article may be reprinted with proper reference to author. Ella D. McGhee has worked in the administration field for more than twenty years. Two years ago, she launched EDM Enterprises, an online business which provides web design, transcription and secretarial services to businesses, churches and individuals. http://www.edmenterprises.org

Secretarial Services - Transcription

Professional Transcription and Your Business

Note from Leva: This article explains why businesses need transcription services and what's required to provide professional transcription.

Got stacks of audio tapes that need to be converted to a more user-friendly format? Professional transcription services may be the answer.

Professional transcriptionists can take standard or micro cassette tapes and produce a typed version of the text in a format that's clear, consistent and correct. They can create transcripts of taped meetings, training sessions, seminars and conventions, as well as dictated letters, reports and manuscripts. Once the information is transcribed, you can easily email, fax or post it to a Website.

Accuracy Is Essential

Transcribing actually covers a variety of services. It can include whatever editing is necessary to make a report or letter 'flow'. It can also include the tweaking sentence syntax, adjusting paragraphs, removing redundancies, and repairing general grammatical errors.

For some professions, a high degree of accuracy in transcripts is crucial. For example, medical transcriptionists must carefully listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other healthcare professionals and accurately transcribe them into reports, correspondence and other administrative materials that eventually become part of patients' permanent files. Their ability to understand and correctly transcribe patient assessments and treatments reduces the chance of patients receiving ineffective or even harmful treatments and ultimately ensures high quality patient care.

Accuracy in transcripts is equally as important in other fields. In legal matters, it's essential because all testimony must be rendered exactly as it's spoken. Likewise, police detectives require precise transcripts of statements by suspects and witnesses. In the corporate arena, letters, meetings and training sessions must be properly transcribed for the sake of effective education and communication.

Requirements For A Good Transcriptionist

Whether you need medical, legal or general transcribing for your business, accurate transcribing requires a unique set of skills. But if your staff lacks the expertise or time to transcribe materials in house, an outside company can easily fill the void.

Working with an outside vendor offers a variety of cost-saving benefits, including:

No cost of special equipment.

No hourly employee downtime. You pay only for production.

No Social Security, payroll or unemployment taxes.

No medical insurance benefits, paid vacations and sick leave


But before you run out and hire the first transcription company available, make sure it has the skills to meet your needs. The outsourcer you choose should be:


Well-versed in the English language

Knowledgeable of the rules of grammar

Familiar with your industry

Easily accessible for questions


For more information about professional transcription services, contact Kate Smalley, Connecticut Secretary, at 203-641-3739 or mailto:kms@connecticutsecretary.com
Copyright 2004, Kate Smalley
Connecticut Secretary
Freelance Secretarial and Transcription Services - http://www.connecticutsecretary.com
203.641.3739 mailto:kms@connecticutsecretary.com

Secretarial Services - Transcription

Professional Transcription and Your Business

Note from Leva: Transcription is a great profit center for secretarial services. This article explains why businesses need transcription services and what they expect from a transcriptionist. Enjoy!

Got stacks of audio tapes that need to be converted to a more user-friendly format? Professional transcription services may be the answer.

Professional transcriptionists can take standard or micro cassette tapes and produce a typed version of the text in a format that's clear, consistent and correct. They can create transcripts of taped meetings, training sessions, seminars and conventions, as well as dictated letters, reports and manuscripts. Once the information is transcribed, you can easily email, fax or post it to a Website.

Accuracy Is Essential

Transcribing actually covers a variety of services. It can include whatever editing is necessary to make a report or letter 'flow'. It can also include the tweaking sentence syntax, adjusting paragraphs, removing redundancies, and repairing general grammatical errors.

For some professions, a high degree of accuracy in transcripts is crucial. For example, medical transcriptionists must carefully listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other healthcare professionals and accurately transcribe them into reports, correspondence and other administrative materials that eventually become part of patients' permanent files. Their ability to understand and correctly transcribe patient assessments and treatments reduces the chance of patients receiving ineffective or even harmful treatments and ultimately ensures high quality patient care.

Accuracy in transcripts is equally as important in other fields. In legal matters, it's essential because all testimony must be rendered exactly as it's spoken. Likewise, police detectives require precise transcripts of statements by suspects and witnesses. In the corporate arena, letters, meetings and training sessions must be properly transcribed for the sake of effective education and communication.

Requirements For A Good Transcriptionist

Whether you need medical, legal or general transcribing for your business, accurate transcribing requires a unique set of skills. But if your staff lacks the expertise or time to transcribe materials in house, an outside company can easily fill the void.

Working with an outside vendor offers a variety of cost-saving benefits, including:

- No cost of special equipment.
- No hourly employee downtime. You pay only for production.
- No Social Security, payroll or unemployment taxes.
- No medical insurance benefits, paid vacations and sick leave

But before you run out and hire the first transcription company available, make sure it has the skills to meet your needs. The outsourcer you choose should be:


- Well-versed in the English language
- Knowledgeable of the rules of grammar
- Familiar with your industry
- Easily accessible for questions

For more information about professional transcription services, contact Kate Smalley, Connecticut Secretary, at 203-641-3739 or mailto:kms@connecticutsecretary.com - Copyright 2004, Kate Smalley
Connecticut Secretary - Freelance Secretarial and Transcription Services - http://www.connecticutsecretary.com
203.641.3739 mailto:kms@connecticutsecretary.com

Secretarial Business- Transcription labels

"Where can I find sticky transcription labels?

From MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.:

Forms and Filing Systems, Dennis Corbin, ffs@formsandfilingsystems.com, 800, 472-0171, fax 706, 802-1880, http://www.mdfile.net

Handeze Gloves, http://www.handeze.com, 800-686-1722, Fax 203-269-5307.

March and Green, P. O. Box 155, Wayne, IL 60184, marchgren@aol.com, 800, 447-6004.

Medical Arts Press, Office Management Supplies, 8500 Wyoming Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN 55445, 800-826-6706, Fax 800-328-0023.

Pat Systems, http://www.transpaper.com/, 3929 Parkside Place, Flower Mound, TX75022-4792, 800, 543-1911, info@transpaper.com. Sticky Paper and Softflex Computer Gloves.

Quill Corp., http://www.quillcorp.com/CATALOG/ICS/CATgetPGroup.cfm/11/243/A, info@quillcorp.com."

Secretarial Services - va-secretarial

VA or Personal Assistant or Concierge?
By Alyson Mead

Many people ask me what the difference between a virtual assistant and a personal assistant is, or between a virtual assistant and a concierge, for that matter. These are important distinctions to make before deciding to set up your new business, because each one suggests a very different set of responsibilities to your potential client.

Virtual assistants are much like administrative assistants. They mostly work from home by themselves, or from a centralized office with a few others, as we do. Their tasks are generally limited to the administrative, too, such as transcription and typing, correspondence, and mass mailings. Speaking of mailing, we find Stamps.com really helpful in that regard. We hate going to the post office and waiting in long lines, even if it is for our beloved clients! With Stamps.com, we don't have to. For $80, we got a 4-week free trial, free postage, and a postage scale, which you'd have to admit is quite a deal. With support for most address book software, mass mailings can actually be easy!

In contrast, a personal assistant can be asked to do some of the administrative stuff, but the emphasis of the position isn't usually concentrated there. We have found, in our storied careers, that personal assistants are generally asked to do more, well, personal things, like picking up dry cleaning, making vacation plans, picking up children from school, etc. This position is great for people who love to be on the go, and hate staring at a computer screen all day. And in order to do it, you're going to need a great cell phone with Blackberry capability, so you can stay in touch with your client, his or her spouse, and any kiddies. Cingular has a great Blackberry phone that's less than $150 when purchased with a new service plan. Great coverage and the ability to text and email from your car? Bring it on!

The concierge may be the most misunderstood of all three fields. Many people assume that concierges work solely from hotels, providing guests with extra services, such as booking transportation to and from the airport, helping with theater or concert tickets, and arranging for secretarial services while in a certain city. But you can start your own concierge business, whether or not you are affiliated with a hotel. If you decide to do this, your target clients will most likely be those who are new to the city, such as temporary workers, new arrivals, or people who are in your city for purely business reasons. Helping these people find the level of service they're seeking can be very lucrative, as well, since many have expense accounts for business and can be a bit freer with cash and tips (we all love that!). Reading up a bit on concierge businesses is important before taking that crucial first step. The Concierge Manual takes you on a step-by-step journey to creating your business, designing a brochure, and even potential legal issues. Don't be without it!

But just because these three are related but different fields doesn't mean you can't mix and match. We include concierge services in our service package for AssistantGirls.com, because we are located in Los Angeles, a large American city that experiences an enormous amount of business travel. One resource we couldn't live without is our Zagat Guides. Whether we need the number of the hottest new restaurant in Beverly Hills, or have to make a suggestion for hotels in Baltimore, or nightlife in New York, these kick-butt little guides make all the difference. And isn't that why they hired you in the first place?

Copyright 2006 AssistantGirls.com

For more stories like this, visit http://www.AssistantGirls.com

Alyson Mead is founder of http://www.AssistantGirls.com She spent eight years as a book editor in New York, working for companies such as Scholastic, Macmillan, McGraw-Hill, Glencoe, Steck-Vaughn, Silver Burdett & Ginn, Prentice-Hall and others. She has published hundreds of freelance articles in journals such as Salon.com, ChickClick, MSN.com, In These Times and many more, and ghostwritten several book projects.

Secretarial Services - Typing letters

If you're operating a secretarial service, you'll need to know how to format a business letter. The article below explains how.

Anatomy of a Business Letter
by Linda Elizabeth Alexander

Business letters have many purposes and recipients. Despite variations in tone and style, the basic parts of a business letter remain standard throughout most business correspondence. This article outlines the elements found in standard business letters today, in order, as well as their modern format.

1. Heading

Assuming you are using company letterhead, your full address will already be on the page. Add the date two spaces below the last line of printed copy. If you are using blank paper, add your full address and the date in the heading. Align the heading, and all paragraphs, with the left margin(which should be at least one inch wide).

Example:
21 Carson Parkway
Boulder, CO 80111
December 3, 2006

2. Inside address

Include the recipient's full name, title, and address two spaces below the date. Align it with the left margin.

Example:
Conner T. Walker
2345 Sunrise Avenue
Denver, CO 80555

3. Salutation

Two spaces below the inside address, and also aligned with the left margin, place your salutation, or greeting. If you are on a first name basis with the recipient, use her/his first name followed by a colon. If you are writing a more formal letter, use a personal title (Ms., Mr., or Dr.) followed by the person's last name and a colon. Use Mr. for men, and Ms. for women. Never use Mrs. or Miss unless a woman has specifically expressed a preference. If you are not sure if the recipient is male or female, use a salutation that is appropriate to the letter context.

Examples:
Mr. Yates:
Ms. Dickinson:
Dear Customer:
Dear Publishing Manager:

4. Body

The body of the letter should begin two spaces below the salutation; all paragraphs should be aligned to the left margin. Single space within paragraphs and double space between them.

If your letter continues onto a second (or higher) page, leave at least two lines of text on the next page before the closing. Do not go onto another page just for the closing; this is bad form. If necessary, change the font size or margin width to make it fit onto one page.

5. Closing

Place the closing two spaces below the last line of the body. Use a standard closing such as Sincerely or Best regards. Capitalize only the first word, and follow the closing with a comma. Four spaces below, type your full name, also aligned with the closing at the left margin. Finally, sign your name in the space between the closing expression and your typed name.

6. Additional Information

Sometimes a business letter requires you to add the typist's initials, an enclosure notification, or a note that other people are receiving the same letter. Any of this information goes two spaces below the last line of the closing in a long letter, four spaces below in a very short letter.

The typist's initials follow the writer's initials, separated by a slash. The writer's initials go in capital letters, while the typist's are lowercase.

Example: LEA/lak or LEA/ald

If the writer and the typist are the same person, no initials are needed.

If you are sending material along with the letter, such as an invoice or report, indicate this with an enclosure notification. When you use this, you must refer to the enclosures in your letter. Abbreviate or describe the enclosure(s).

Examples:
Enc.
Encs.
Enclosure: Report findings

Lastly, if you are sending the same letter to more than one person, notify your recipients with a copy notation. This is abbreviated "cc:" and followed by the recipients' names.

Example:
cc: Linda Alexander
Janna Bree Smith
Emily Lane

7. Formatting

Finally, format your letter so it is easy to scan. Center the letter on the page both vertically and horizontally so that plenty of white space surrounds your text. When using your company's letterhead, remember to format your margins inside the printed material.

If a letter is very short, consider double spacing the entire letter. Also, you may add spaces between paragraphs, the salutation, etc., if it provides for a fuller appearance and enhances the overall "look" of the letter.

© 2002 By Linda Elizabeth Alexander. Linda Elizabeth Alexander writes marketing copy for nonprofits and other businesses. Contact her today to get your free consultation! http://www.write2thepointcom.com
lalexander@write2thepointcom.com

In addition to knowing how to type, you'll need to market your secretarial services. The Secretarial Business in a Box tells you everything you need to know to start, operate, and market a secretarial service

Secretarial Services - legal secretary in England

THE ROLE

Legal secretaries assist in all aspects of running a law firm. The legal secretaries¡¦ jobs can include basic tasks such as word processing, audio-typing and dealing with general clerical work. Some legal secretary work can include meeting clients, arranging meeting and some even attend court or police cells.

Legal Secretary jobs can incorporate all areas of law - from criminal and civil law to property, family, corporate, private client and banking.

SKILLS and INTERESTS

- If you are looking for a Legal Secretary job you should:
- Have an interest in law
- Have excellent secretarial skills
- Be PC literate
- Be accurate and methodical
- Be discreet when dealing with confidential information
- Have a good standard of English, spelling and grammar
- Work well under pressure and be good a meeting deadlines
- Of course, a polite friendly manner helps!


A mix of these skills would provide a solid foundation for anyone looking for jobs as a legal secretary

Click here for Legal Secretary jobs

QUALIFICATIONS

There are no formal qualifications to becoming a Legal Secretary, athough a high standard of general education is required. To become a Legal Secretary office and administration experience is useful as is some existing knowledge of the law.

Career Development

Employers often offer on the job training. There are different pathways that lead to legal secretarial qualifications:

** The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PA¡¦s

The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PA¡¦s offer a diploma that¡¦s has been recognised as the most comprehensive qualification for Legal Secretaries. The diploma is extremely useful if you are looking for jobs as a Legal Secretary. The syllabus for the general diploma is divided into five main units:

Outline of the English Legal System
Outlines of the Law of Contract and the Law of Tort
Conveyancing and an outline of Land Law
Civil Litigation
Succession (Wills, Probate and Administration)


The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PA¡¦s also offers courses for Legal Secretaries who would like to specialise in one are of law.

The subjects covered are:
- Civil Litigation
- Company and Corporate Law
- Conveyancing
- Criminal Law and Practice
- Matrimonial Law and Family Practice Succession


Click here for Institute Of Legal Secretaries Website and further information: www.institutelegalsecretaries.com

** ILEX Legal Secretaries Certificate & Diploma

ILEX offer a Legal Secretaries Certificate (Level 2) and a Legal Secretaries Diploma (Level 3)

The ILEX Paralegal Programmes (ILEXPP) for Legal Secretaries are now considered the benchmark for those aspiring to or working in a legal environment as secretaries or personal assistants. Reflecting the National Standards in Administration, the programmes offer: a flexible route, no entry requirements (although a Grade C or above in English Language GCSE is desirable), a choice of when and where to study, task based assignments which are all accompanied by up to date training manuals.''

The ILEX Legal Secretaries Certificate covers the following areas:

Legal Word Processing
Administration in the Legal Environment
Communication Skills in the Legal Environment
Information Processing in the Legal Environment


The ILEX Legal Secretaries Diploma covers the following areas:


Advanced Legal Word Processing
Advanced Administration in the Legal Environment
Advanced Communication Skills in the Legal Environment
Advanced Information Processing in the Legal Environment


Click here for ILEXPP Website and further information on the ILEX Tutorial (Training to be a Legal Secretary) Web pages

** OCR (RSA) Legal Word Processing

OCR(RSA)offers specialised qualifications in legal text and legal word processing. The course is for those with previous word processing experience who wish to specialise in legal work. This programme is ideal for those who are in employment or wish to gain employment in the legal sector. You will be taught about the production of a range of documents in a legal context. Legal styles and formats. Legal terminology and English grammar are also covered Legal Text Processing is part of the OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) suite of qualifications in text processing which are widely recognised by employers as benchmark qualifications in text processing.

Candidates who are successful in achieving accreditation will be able to extend their range of text processing skills at intermediate level and progress to different optional units within the suite of units at Level 2 or to progress to the OCR Text Processing Advanced (Level 3) qualification.

Legal Secretaries work in all areas of law from solicitors offices, barristers chambers through to law courts, police stations and within in house legal teams. It is possible to start as a legal secretary and work towards becoming a legal executive, paralegal or a licensed conveyancer. You could even study for a law degree.

Legal Secretary Jobs

Copywrite Tony Heywood (c)

2006

Secretarial Services-Outsourcing

Leva's comments: Those are the reasons why people need a secretarial service. Sell your secretarial prospects on those benefits:

How To Use Outsourcing To Beat Your Competition

Outsourcing is when you hire outside professionals or services to take on part of your business workload.You may want to outsource part of your work because you don't have the room, you need an expert, you have periodic busy periods, or you need more production to get orders out on time etc. You could outsource accounting, secretarial tasks , factory help, computer training, web design etc. Below are ways to use outsoursing to beat your competition.

outsourcing part of your workload you can save time and spend more time concentrating on beating your competition.

-you won't have to take time training new employees

-you won't have to do time consuming tasks like adding on new equipment

-you won't have to learn a new software program or other equipment

-you won't have to interview employee candidates

-you won't have to fill out all the complicated employee paper work like tax forms, scheduling, retirement plans etc.

outsourcing part of your workload you can save money and spend more money on marketing or advertising to beat your competition.

-you won't have to buy extra office and other equipment

-you won't have to buy extra office or work space

-you won't have spend money on employee costs like; taxes, medical, vacation time, holidays, workers comp., unemployment costs etc. (these may vary by which country you do business)

re are many other ways outsourcing can help you beat your competition. Here are a few more:

-the extra help can help you complete and deliver orders faster

-you could expand your market share by becoming the middleman and offering your subcontractors services or products

-you could end up getting orders from your subcontractors

-it will allow your business to take on extra or large orders

Secretarial Services - graphic design resources

Here's some great graphic design resources you can use in your secretarial business.

http://www.icograda.org/web/ - Icograda - International Council of Graphic Design Assocations.

http://www.icsid.org/ - Icsid IDA - International Council of Societies of Industrial Design

http://www.idm.qc.ca/ - Institute of Design Montreal

Secretarial Services - History of secretarial profession

History of the Secretarial Profession: "Profession Advances in Information Age
Today, secretaries (also known as administrative assistants, office coordinators, executive assistants, office managers, et al.) are using computers, the Internet, and other advanced office technologies to perform vital 'information management' functions in the modern office.

Secretaries no longer 'simply' type correspondence for 'the boss.' Now, they often write that correspondence as well as plan meetings, organize data using spreadsheet and database management software, interact with clients, vendors, and the general public, supervise the office and other staff, handle purchasing, and even train other workers. Trends identified by IAAP research include:

Administrative professionals are becoming researchers and interpreters, not just disseminators of information.

Work teams are becoming more prevalent.

Job descriptions are expanding and new titles are being created, such as administrative coordinator, office administrator, administrative specialist and information manager.

Employers are paying more for specialized skills such as desktop publishing and database management. In addition, many companies are providing performance-based bonuses to outstanding administrative support professionals to help acknowledge their contributions.
The future is bright for computer-literate, well-educated, customer service-savvy administrative professionals."

Read the history of the secretarial profession: http://www.iaap-hq.org/ResearchTrends/history.htm

Secretarial Services - Temperature affects typing errors

Temperature Affects Typing Errors/Performance

If your office is too cold, you might not be typing as accurately or as much as you could be. A landmark study shows that typing errors increase and typing performance decreases as office temperatures drop.

In a study evaluating the impact of indoor environmental conditions on worker productivity, Cornell University ergonomics professor Alan Hedge found a 74 percent increase in typing mistakes and a 46 percent reduction in typing output when office temperatures fell from 77 F to 68 F. The findings were presented in June at the 2004 Eastern Ergonomics Conference in New York City.

During the study, Hedge placed HOBO data loggers (from Onset Computer Corporation) or miniature temperature recorders at nine workstations at the Insurance Office of America's corporate headquarters in Orlando, Florida. The loggers sampled air temperature every 15 minutes for an entire working month. This data then was correlated with a month's worth of ergonomic data to show how typing performance worsened as temperatures fell.

Hedge says: "Temperature is certainly a key variable that can impact performance. As employees typed, we knew the amount of time they were keying and the amount of time they were making error corrections. At 77 degrees Fahrenheit, employees were keying 100 percent of the time with a 10 percent error rate while at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the keying rate went down to 54 percent of the time with a 25 percent error rate. This study shows that when employees get chilly, at least in this case, they are not working to their full potential."

Hedge estimated that the decreased productivity resulted in a 10 percent increase in labor cost per worker per hour.

Keep the temperature in your home office comfortable and your fingers warm to reduce typing errors and increase performance.

You can find a detailed presentation about this study at http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/CUEHEECE_IEQDown.html.

Secretarial Services - The Growth of the virtual assistant

'Virtual Heroes': The Growth of the Virtual Assistant
By Michelle Payne-Gale

Building and expanding a business is a difficult task, when the management of the business in its existing form takes up much of the time. The administrative, office-based and creative tasks behind running a business, although time-consuming and often repetitive, are vital to the continued operations of the business. With the explosion of opportunities on the Internet, and moves towards a global economy, an extensive range of businesses is finding that they can greatly benefit from the help of a Virtual Assistant.

Definition of a Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistants (VAs) are independent, trained professionals who provide support in terms of administrative, office, creative, technical, managerial and personal. Their skills and talents can be focused on carrying out various important daily and weekly tasks for clients, working on projects or campaigns, or even as far as becoming vital partners in the running and operations of companies. VAs work on a contract basis and from their own premises, using the very latest in electronic and advanced methods of communication, allowing them to cross geographical boundaries without issue.

The Skills and Services of the VA

VAs' are professionals who have been trained and gained experience in areas, roles and companies that are directly related to, or expressed in the services that they offer. Their skills cover a large range of office-based activities, including secretarial, administrative, creative, marketing, research, organisational, book-keeping and accounting, and specialist secretarial services for legal and medical firms. Tasks that a VA will carry out include word processing, audio typing, proof-reading, article and newsletter writing, spreadsheet & database management, diary management, events organising, travel arrangements, Internet research, web design and marketing campaigns.

Conveniences to the Client

The need for, and convenience of VAs is growing rapidly, with small and medium sized businesses looking to outsource more and more of their tasks, for various reasons. They are ideal for clients who are not in a position to afford a new staff member, or looking to engage in one-off projects over fixed time scales where a new and permanent member of staff would be expensive and impractical. The client also benefits from not having to worry about employee benefits, holiday and sick pay, pensions, space, equipment and other items related to permanent members of staff.

Geographical Coverage of the VA

VAs enjoy and offer the benefit of being relatively unrestricted geographically. Clients have been known to utilise services of VAs located several miles from them, even in different countries. Electronic mail, fax, telephone and the Internet allows for assignments and projects to be completed between the client and the VA, without suffering issues that can occur with being unable to meet, differences in time zones and excessive amounts of paperwork.

Growth of Virtual Business Opportunities

The world of the Virtual business is growing and expanding into other areas of business. At one time, the virtual world was used as a support tool for the other business operations that took place in the physical world, but recently there has been a sharp increase in companies who are choosing to operate the majority of their business online. Examples of business types that are maintaining a solely online presence are Law Firms, Managers, PAs, Market Researchers, Auditors, Florists, Journalists and Real Estate firms. This list is by no means exhaustive, and is rapidly growing.

Summary

‘Virtual Assistant’ is still a relatively new term in the business world, but the profession is taking shape rapidly. More and more businesses are realising the benefits of using a VA, and appreciate the advantages of being able to delegate tasks out to an individual who is already trained and experienced, flexible, and will only charge for the work done and time taken. With so many skilled and varied Virtual Assistant services out there, finding one to match your business should be a piece of cake!

Michelle Payne-Gale, owner of Essence Business & Admin Support Services, specialises in Virtual administration, Marketing, & creative support for start-ups and growing businesses. Additional articles are available at: http://www.essence-services.co.uk. View the Essence blog at http://essence05.blogspot.com. She is also an active partner in the creation of a new Caribbean tourism website, http://www.stay-in-antigua.com.

Secretarial Services - Upcoming VA conferences

I wanted to share two upcoming VA conferences:

IVAA - www.vasummmit.orgwww.ivaa.comwww.
IAVAO - www.vaconference.comwww.iavao.com

Secretarial Services - planning success

Plan Your Success In Seven Ways
By Sue And Chuck DeFiore

Many businesses lose money yearly because they don’t think creatively about the future. They run their businesses doing what they think they should: dealing with customers, dealing with problems, ordering for their business, and paying their expenses. They act like their business is a job. They are surviving and that’s it. They are not looking at the big picture. They need to use their business as a stepping stone to success. Picturing themselves as a successful business person, and setting up a plan to succeed.

Many of the businesses today are started by people who have been downsized or laid off. They are used to showing up for a job and getting paid, and this is how they are operating their business.

The first thing you must do is to find out what you are really good at. Many people want to know, “How can I make more money?” Unfortunately too many business people never ask themselves, “What am I good at?” They need to do so, and then ask it again every time they want to do something new. This is one of the biggest reasons businesses fail. The owners did not focus on what they were good at and did best. This does not mean you can’t try something different. What it does mean that it is best to go with the skills and experience you already have.

The second thing you need to do is take an objective look at yourself. Take a piece of paper and write down what you can and can’t do. Picture yourself hiring you. Would you hire yourself? Would you be impressed? What do you know best? What are your hobbies? Can you turn that hobby into a business? Remember you work best at something you enjoy.

I was an exceptional secretary, so I started a word processing business. I loved typing and taking dictation by telephone, writing up letters, proposals and setting up identity packages. However, I hated having to drive around town to pick up and deliver projects, and cold calling for business. So after losing money, I shut down the business. A couple of years later I started another business where I was the assistant to businesses, but worked from my home. I got to do all the secretarial aspects, but out of a home office. All I had to do was send flyers and mailers to independent contractors. I also worked with answering services for referrals and gave them business, plus a cut of my fee.

What this means is you need to discover what your likes and dislikes are. People like to work at things they do well. They enjoy themselves more. A test for you is to think back over the last couple of days. Then make a list of the things you enjoyed doing. Think about when you were the happiest and what you were doing.

The third thing you need to think about and be able to recognize is: What your competitive edge is. After you do the above test and find out what your strengths are, you will find that some of these strengths give you an advantage over your competition. Do your particular strengths and abilities help you provide exceptional customer service? Can you do something or produce something that others can’t?

If you already have an edge over others, put it to use. Make your customers aware of your unique qualities. The way to accomplish this is to be sure any advertising or promotional campaign you employ highlights your unique selling points.

The fourth thing you need to do is to plan ahead. While your business concept or product might be unique now, as we know people love to copy what is successful. So you need to plan for the long run. You need to be aware of what your competition is doing and keep your customers coming back.

The fifth thing is that just because there are things you don’t like about your business, doesn’t mean you give up. Yes, there are going to be certain things you like better than others. Every business person feels this way. However, if you don’t like anything about what you are doing, then you might want to start a new business. Be sure before you do so, you give yourself the above test.

The sixth thing is sometimes you just need to make some changes in your business. See if there are certain things you can cut out of your business, a product or service, which you might not enjoy and it is not a profit center for you. Then drop it, and concentrate on those things that are generating a profit.

Maybe you need to make changes to make your job easier, such as buying new software, or a new computer system. Maybe hiring someone on a part time basis could take some of the workload off your shoulders, and allow you to concentrate on other business matters.

And last but not least is to be sure you take what you’ve learned about yourself, and set up a plan for your business for the future. Don’t forget to write down what you’re good at and ways that you can apply your skills to making money. You can take this information about your skills and put it in your promotional materials. Be sure you always have a notebook (or a voice recorder) with you to joint down notes to yourself, new business ideas to try. You want to be sure when you do write these things down that you also put a date next to them to implement that idea or strategy. This will give you goals to work for. Be sure to put these goals in a prominent place in your office. I put my goals on index cards and then put the index cards on my desk, on my calendar, and on my bulletin board. By having your goals visible to you, it will help you to stay on track. And, that is what it is all about – keeping your business growing and prospering.

Secretarial Services - Increase your typing speed

Improve Your Typing Skills In Just Two Weeks
By John Deprice

Yes, you too can double or even triple your typing speed if you use the right tools. Here is how:

Typing Master Express:

TypingMaster Express is a personal typing trainer that helps you to acquire professional touch-typing skills. As a result you will type up to 4 times faster without errors and save dozens of valuable working hours every year. The comprehensive study material covers both the basics of touch-typing as well as advanced topics, such as the numeric keypad and ergonomics. Learning is supported by multi-form exercises, including graphical keyboard drills, instructive games and personalised review exercises.

Free Download: http://www.deprice.com/typingmasterexpress.htm

Typing Master Pro With ProTrainer

TypingMaster Pro for Windows is a personal typing trainer that helps you to acquire professional touch-typing skills. As a result you will type up to 4 times faster without errors and save dozens of valuable working hours every year. TypingMaster incorporates ProTrainer technology which analyzes your typing while you are using your word processor, email or any other Windows program. Based on this information ProTrainer creates fully tailored exercises for your current needs. This will remarkably improve your typing speed and accuracy - as quickly as in two hours.

Free Download: http://www.deprice.com/typingmasterpro.htm

Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor

Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor teaches the skill of touch typing (typing with all the fingers without looking at the keys) in an accessible step-by-step way. Ten Thumbs has received critical acclaim for its easy-to-use, step-by-step approach to learning keyboard skills. The program is suitable for learners of all ages, and is used in schools, at home, in colleges, universities and industry, including call centers and financial services organizations. Learn using full and proper QWERTY or Dvorak tuition with U.S and British keyboard support.

The rich, customizable feature set includes network support, a range of feedback options and automatic weighting of lessons to get you learning most effectively. A well rounded product with appealing visual interface, additional tips and advice and even tutorials on how to sit at your computer!

Free Download: http://www.deprice.com/tenthumbstypingtutor.htm

John Deprice owns and operates http://www.deprice.com

Start-Up Cost for Secretarial Services

Start-Up Cost for Secretarial Services
Copyright © 2005-2006 Leva Duell

Here's what you'll need to start a secretarial business and what the estimated start-up cost is.

You can start your secretarial business with just a computer, printer, a few business cards, and a pack of paper. You can get additional equipment and supplies later.

• Computer. Any computer will get you started. You don’t need a high-end computer for word processing. However, if you want to provide graphic design or web design services, then you'll want to get the best computer you can afford.
Cost: From $200 for a used computer to $800-$2500 for a new computer.
You can find used computers in your local newspaper and specialized local computer publications.

• Software: Most computers come with a word processing program. I recommend using Microsoft Word as soon as you can afford it because that's what most of your clients will have.
Cost: Check http://www.microsoft.com for current prices.

• Printer: I recommend a laser printer but many secretarial services use an inexpensive inkjet printer.
Cost: From $20 for a used inkjet printer to $600-$2000 for a laser printer.
Check: http://www.hp.com/ and http://www.canon.com/

• Desk. You can get a small computer desk or use a table.
Cost: $30 and up. You have many choices for $100-$200.

• Computer chair. Choose one that feels comfortable to you. The more expensive chairs are not necessarily the most comfortable ones. Check the office supply stores below.
Cost: $30-$200.

• Office supplies. Supplies you may need include paper to print your clients' work, printer cartridge, pens, paper clips, envelopes, a filing system, and a stapler.
Cost: Check local office supply stores such as Office Depot (http://www.officedepot.com), OfficeMax (http://www.officemax.com), and Staples (http://www.staples.com). Or order their catalogs.

• Telephone: I recommend getting a separate phone line from the beginning.
Cost: Check with your local phone company.

• Business cards: Printed business cards will look more professional than cards you print on your own printer one sheet at the time.
Cost: $20-$200 for a set of 500 to 1000 business cards.

• Business license.
Cost: $20-$100 depending on the city and county.

If you already have a computer, a word processing program and a printer, your start-up cost is minimal. You can start your secretarial business with some basic office supplies and buy additional equipment or software later when a project requires it.

--------------------------------------------------------You can reprint this article on your web site if you include this Resource Box: Looking for typing work at home? Start a secretarial business. The Secretarial-Business-in-a-Box provides instant tools you need to start and run a successful secretarial service. F*ree articles and business start-up newsletter at http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com.

Home Medical Transcription

Home Medical Transcription : A Decent Living or a Scam?
by Stephen Bucaro

No doubt you have seen many ads by medical transcription schools claiming that you can make big money typing medical transcription at home. Can you really make a good living doing medical transcription at home, or is it just another scam? In this article, you'll learn the honest facts about home medical transcription.

Can you really make a decent living doing home medical transcription? Yes and no.

Yes - Many people are earning $50,000 to $80,000 or more per year typing medical transcription at home. They work where they want, when they want, and as much as they want. The amount of medical transcription work that needs to be done FAR exceeds the available transcribers to do the work. When I say the demand exceeds the supply, I mean the situation is desperate.

No - Reading a few booklets and listening to a few tapes will not make you into an instant $50,000 per year medical transcriptionist. If you're not ready to commit to between six months and a year of hard study and practice, find another means of earning a living.

Typing medical transcription is not like typing a letter to your mother. It's far more challenging. Below are some of the challenges you must be prepared to meet.

1. You must have a good understanding of medical terminology. You need to know how to spell the names of the latest medical conditions, drugs, medical tests, treatments, and procedures, and just knowing how to spell them is not enough. Because of challenge #2 decribed below, you need to have some familiarity with medical conditions and what tests, drugs, and treatments are related to that condition. It's difficult to learn this with a mail order medical transcription course. This type of knowledge comes from experience.

You don't need to be familiar with ALL medical terminology. Many transcriptionists specialize in specific areas such as gastroenterology or opthalmology. However, when you want to go on vacation, you'll need someone else to take over your work while you're gone. In reciprocation, you'll need to cover for someone else when they go on vacation, and they may be transcribing to a different field than you're familiar with.

2. You need to be able to extract the transcription from a noisy electronic recording. Unfortunately, many doctors mumble, garble, don't enunciate, don't speak up, or talk too fast when they dictate. Combine the above problems with a thick, foreign accent and you can have real dificulty understanding what the doctor is saying. In many instances, the only way you will be able to decipher what the doctor is saying is if you are familiar with medical conditions and what tests, drugs, and treatments are related to that condition.

Doctors dictate "on the fly". They don't have time to think about proper sentence construction as the words emanate from their mouth. Frequently the sentence they started doesn't make any sense or has an error by the time they get to the end. Do you edit what the doctor said, or just type the jiberish as dictated? Usually a doctor appreciates when you clean up their dictation. On the other hand, medical documents are often presented as evidence in legal actions. You're taking on liability if you change what the doctor actually said.

Many transcriptionists have their own group of doctors that they type for and eventually become familiar with the
idiosyncracies of each doctor. This makes understanding what they are saying much easier; however, when a you go on vacation, someone else will need to cover the doctors while you're gone. In reciprocation, you'll need to cover for someone else when they go on vacation. You won't be familiar with how the doctors dictate.

3. To make the earnings cited above, you need to be able to sit and type for long hours. You need to isolate yourself
from the noise and distraction of other human beings (and some pets) and pound on that keyboard hour after hour. As I stated earlier, the amount of medical transcription work available far exceeds the available transcribers to do the work. Some transcriptionists let greed take control of them and sit at the computer for 16 hours seven days per week. They get accustom to a $100,000 a year lifestyle. But what does it do for their health?

Medical transcription companies charge more for "fast turn around". Some pass part of this money onto the transcriptionist, others just demand the work get done immediately. In either case, fast turn around work prevents you from controlling your own working hours.

Now that I've discouraged you, the fact is that many medical transcriptionists do work where they want, when they want, as much as they want, and earn a respectable living. If you're up to the challenge, how do you became a medial transcriptionist?

Training...

You'll need to be proficient in the use of a computer. You'll need to be a fast typist. If you can't type as fast as the doctor dictates, you'll be working hard with the foot pedal to move back and forth in the recording. You must be comfortable using a Word Processing application such as Microsoft Word or Workperfect. You'll need to know how to format documents and how to use macros. If you don't use macros you'll be typing the same phrases over and over.

If you decide to sign up for a medical transcription course, make sure the course provides plenty of authentic
dictations. You cannot become a medical transcriptionist by just reading medical terminology. You need to hear it spoken. Just listening to terms being pronounced is of limited use. You need to hear the terms used in a sentence. Simulated medical dictations are fine, but you need some practice with actual medical dictations.

Find a course that teaches basic anatomy and physiology along with terminology.

The best way to learn...

The best way to learn is with on-the-job training. If you have a doctor friend or family member who does dictations, ask them if you can transcribe a low-priority dictaion for practice. If you're working at a clinic or hospital as a secretary or receptionist, investigate how the transcription gets done and volunteer to help.

Start out with a specific type of transcription such as letters or office notes in specficic specialities. As you get more experience, your speed will improve and you can branch out into other types of transcriptions for other specialties.

The amount of medical transcription work that needs to be done far exceeds the available transcribers to do the work.

Yes, you can make a decent living doing home medical transcription. You can work where you want, when you want, and as much as you want. But, medical transcription is an occupation only for those who are prepared to meet the challenge.

Copyright(C) 2005 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com. To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit
http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp

Secretarial Services - Secrets of Happy Moms

Secrets Of Happy Moms
Carrie Lauth

Have you ever noticed how some Moms seem to be very contented
and confident in their role as Mothers, and others seem
chronically stressed and approaching burnout? Why are some Moms
unflappable and able to keep their sense of humor, while others
overreact to the slightest stressors in their day?

I'm currently observing and interviewing these happy Moms as I
conduct research for an upcoming book. While all Moms are
different, these women usually have several of the following
traits in common.

1) They keep it simple.
I know one Mom who grocery shops every two weeks and buys the
exact same thing every time to prepare the same menu of 14
dinners. Why does she do this? She's picked the family's
favorite meals for her menu to save herself time and arguments
at the dinner table. Anyone with kids knows they like to eat
the same things over and over! This Mom has decided not to
reinvent the wheel twice a month. This is just one example of
keeping it simple.

2) They teach their kids to be independent.
This doesn't mean they leave them to their own devices all day.
But a smart Mom knows that a 2 year old can put a dish in the
dishwasher, a 4 year old can prepare his own peanut butter and
jelly sandwich, and a 7 year old can sweep a floor (albeit
imperfectly!). Call it "outsourcing" for Moms.

3) They drop the SuperMom complex.
Not sweating the small stuff seems to be a common trait of
happy Moms. They learn to pick their battles. Getting buckled
into a car seat? Not negotiable. Pink paisley pants with the
orange plaid shirt? Fashion creativity.

Happy Moms also realize that being an awesome Mom doesn't mean
being a perfect Mom. 'Nuff said.

4) They can often be overheard repeating the phrase "This too
shall pass".
It doesn't mean that bothersome behavior in kids should be
overlooked, for discipline is a huge time saver in the end. It
means that Moms realize that children are...well, uncivilized
creatures, and that much uncivilized behavior will simply go
away on its own as the child matures. Smart Moms are also
keenly aware of their child's development and don't expect more
of them than they are able to give.

5) Smart Moms take care of themselves.
They don't blame the baby for their extra weight when the baby
in question is potty trained! They put emphasis on good
nutrition, avoiding too much by way of stimulants (caffeine,
sugar), they get adequate rest, and daily exercise. They
realize that you can't pour from an empty bucket.

6) They live in the moment.
Happy Moms realize that the days are long but the years short.
It's not that they are impervious to stress, it's that they
have learned to lower their expectations and be in the moment
when things get difficult. When your toddler is puking all over
the house, this is not the time to reorganize the hall closet. A
sick day then turns into a time to create sweet memories of
hours spent reading and cuddling on the couch.

7) They don't worry about what others think.
Whether it's the disapproving glare from the old lady in the
checkout line, the Mother in law who is convinced you're
starving the baby by breastfeeding, or the Pediatrician whose
medical advice strays into parenting advice, happy Moms learn
not to give too much weight to the opinions of those who don't
live in their home.

8) In other words, they trust their instincts.
Whether it's taking the baby to bed with them so they can get
more sleep or taking a bullied child out of public school,
smart Moms know that they are the expert of their own babies.

9) Happy Moms have "something else"
It may be a part time home based business or a hobby like belly
dancing. These Moms know that some day their babies will fly the
coop, and they make sure they have a passion that will give them
purpose when that happens.


Carrie Lauth is the author of the upcoming
book: "Awesome Moms: 187 Years of Mothering Wisdom". Take a
sneak peak at http://www.momswisdom.com. For more great
articles and resources for Moms doing things the natural way,
visit http://www.natural-moms.com

Secretarial Services - starting a home based business

How To Start a Home Based Business: 3 Questions to Ask Yourself
Charles Fuchs

Many people dream of working at home but wonder how to start a home based business. There are a multitude of potential opportunities out there for the person looking how to start a home based business that can get a person confused before they even start. There are three important questions to ask that will help you to better determine how to start a home based business that will work well for you.

It is important that you know how to start a home based business that will work well for you and your interests. Yet, you should understand why you want to have your own home based business before you jump into how to start your own home based business. Ask yourself your reasons for starting this type of business. Do you want to set your own hours and be your own boss? Do you not feel fulfilled by what you are currently doing or do you have a great business idea in mind? How to start a home based business will depend on your passion for the type of work involved in running your own business.

The passion and desire for working at home and being your own boss is the first important step in determining how to start a home based business, but you also need to know if you are ready to deal with the hard work involved. You will need to be flexible, quick thinking, and patient as you are learning how to start a home based business. There are some days that will require you to put in excruciatingly long hours and sometimes work through the weekend. As you learn how to start your home based business, you will also need the support of your family. Plus, you will need a passion for what you are doing. If you do not like what you are doing, learning how to start a home based business will matter very little, because the hard work will be more discouraging.

Finally, an important part of learning how to start a home based business is assessing your skills. You do not need to be an expert in everything, but you will need to get some expert advice and learn to do things you may not always enjoy like filing, typing, making cold calls, etc. In learning how to start a home based business, you will see that you need to develop better business, time-management, and organizational skills. If you do not have these skills, you will want to use resources to develop them.

Learning how to start a home based business depends quite a bit on the answers to these questions, as they will tell you if learning how to start a home based business is right for you and what skills you will need to develop. As you move along the process you will find that how to start a home based business for you may be different than someone else, so look into other similar business and do not be afraid to ask for advice.

Copyright © Charles Fuchs is an established online marketer who specializes in helping people start their very own Home Based Business. Download the Free Home Based Business Manual Absolutely Free (a $97 Value!). Free Information: http://www.home-based-business-world.com/

Secretarial Services - Virtual Assistant Business

How to get a Virtual Assistant Business

The revolution of how businesses operate is an enormous boon to Virtual Assistants. With more businesses moving into an internet based atmosphere, the opportunity for growth as a Virtual Assistant (VA) is exceptional.

Virtual Assistants are modern day Administrative Assistants. Most often a good VA has the skill sets of a traditional administrative assistant with the added benefit of being technically web savvy and often possessing website and graphic design skills, HTML know how and an understanding of search engine optimization and Internet marketing.

However, there are many levels to what type of work you could choose to target as a Virtual Assistant. Many Virtual Assistants provide virtual customer support for clients while others focus entirely on data entry work. The options are diverse and plentiful.

So Where to Begin?

Many up and coming VA's get their first assignments from established Virtual Assistant businesses. So networking with other VA's can be an essential method of getting a shoe in this business. The obvious place to begin networking is on forums. Do a Google search on 'virtual assistant forum' and you will have a good starting point.

When you are networking on forums, try to be an active participant on the forum. Ask intelligent questions. Share your understanding on different topics and comment on what other members have said. The biggest mistake for many women trying to network or promote their businesses on forums is to give one-liner answers that aren't thoughtful. I am far more likely to outsource work to a candidate when I see that they are serious about beginning their business, it isn't just a whim. And that they are willing to ask questions and hone their skills.

Build a Website

You really should have a website up for your business. Without one, your chances to succeed are seriously going to be hindered. There are several viable options for getting your website started. You can purchase a template, use a site builder, hire a designer or build one yourself.

Building a website yourself can seem daunting, but it is likely a skill you will need to develop in the Virtual Assistant industry and this will give you some hands on experience. I highly recommend building your own site.

Once you have your website you can begin promoting it on your signature in emails and on forums. You can advertise your services locally and provide your customer with a website address to learn more about your services. The opportunities for acquiring clients and networking with other VA's expands tremendously once you have a professional website presence.
Find Work Online

There are quite a few places now online where you can connect with prospective clients and bid on jobs that they have. By far the best place to do this is www.elance.com. Elance has an excellent reputation and an excellent advertising budget. They draw thousands of jobs there all the time. There is a fee, but it is well worth the investment.

Other sources for finding work are: www.craigslist.com, www.sologig.com, www.homejobstop.com, www.guru.com, and www.getafreelancer.com. There are really quite a few websites now that focus on bringing clients and service providers together.

Do a Good Job

When you do land your first gig, do it well. Aim to astound your client. Be ahead of schedule, respond to their inquiries, and send them daily updates. Oftentimes first assignments are your best opportunity for receiving more work. When a business reaches the point of outsourcing, they are doing well. It is very likely that pleasing the client with your first assignment can lead to ongoing work and/or glowing recommendations to their colleagues to use your services.

Starting a Virtual Assistant business is an innovative, legitimate way to utilize skills that you have. It is quickly becoming a popular home business and there is tremendous room in the industry for growth. It can take some time to sign on your first clients, but before you know it you will have a full work load and a surprisingly abundant business doing what you love!

By Lori Redfield
Lori Redfield is the founder of FreelanceMom. Her website provides support, advice and job leads for women who wish to work from home. Sign up for her newsletter at: http://www.freelancemom.com/newsletter.htm.

Secretarial Services - PR marketing

Maybe You SHOULD Worry About Your PR!

Especially if your public relations budget is all about tactics
like brochures, special events, talking to reporters and press
releases.

Please don't get me wrong. Communications tactics are
valuable devices which we call upon from time-to-time to
move a message from here to there.

But, as a business, non-profit or association manager,
you can omit the best public relations has to offer, the crème
de la crème of PR!

Try this on for size. The core public relations mission
pulls together the resources and action planning needed to
alter individual perception leading to changed behaviors
among a business, non-profit, or association's most
important outside audiences. Then it goes on to help a
manager persuade those key folks to his or her way of
thinking, and then, moves them to take actions that
allow their department, group, division or subsidiary
to succeed.

Now, there's a real theory behind that mission, and it's
the underlying premise of public relations: People act
on their own perception of the facts before them, which
leads to predictable behaviors about which something
can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that
opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-
desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect
the organization the most, the public relations mission
is usually accomplished.

It's comforting to note that the right public relations
planning really CAN alter individual perception and
lead to changed behaviors among key outside audiences.
AND equally encouraging when you remember that
your PR effort must demand more than special events,
news releases and talk show tactics if you are to receive
the quality public relations results you believe you deserve.

And those results won't be long in coming, especially when
capital givers or specifying sources begin to look your
way; customers begin to make repeat purchases;
membership applications start to rise; new proposals
for strategic alliances and joint ventures start showing
up; politicians and legislators begin looking at you as
a key member of the business, non-profit or association
communities; welcome bounces in show room visits
occur; community leaders begin to seek you out; and
prospects actually start to do business with you.

Help is at hand because the public relations people
assigned to you can be of real use for your new opinion
monitoring project because they are already in the
perception and behavior business. But be certain that
the PR folks really accept why it's SO important to
know how your most important outside audiences
perceive your operations, products or services. Above
all, be sure they believe that perceptions almost always
result in behaviors that can help or hurt your operation.

Layout the plans for your PR staff re: monitoring and
gathering perceptions by questioning members of your
most important outside audiences. Ask questions like
these: how much do you know about our organization?
Have you had prior contact with us and were you pleased
with the interchange? Are you familiar with our services
or products and employees? Have you experienced
problems with our people or procedures?

Bringing in survey firms to do the opinion gathering
work can cost a lot more than using those PR folks of
yours in that monitoring capacity. But whether it's your
people or a survey firm asking the questions, the
objective remains the same: identify untruths, false
assumptions, unfounded rumors, inaccuracies,
misconceptions and any other negative perception that
might translate into hurtful behaviors.

Here, you have to set a goal aiming for action on the
most serious problem areas you uncovered during your
key audience perception monitoring. Will it be to
straighten out that dangerous misconception? Correct
that gross inaccuracy? Or, stop that potentially painful
rumor dead?

Naturally a goal requires a strategy to show you how
to reach it. Just three strategic options are available to
you when it comes to solving perception and opinion
problems. Change existing perception, create perception
where there may be none, or reinforce it. The wrong
strategy pick will taste like spare ribs with lemon sauce.
So be certain your new strategy fits well with your new
public relations goal. You certainly don't want to select
"change" when the facts dictate a strategy of reinforcement.

Now your people must do some good writing. You must
prepare a persuasive message that will help move your key
audience to your way of thinking. It must be a carefully-
written message aimed directly at your key external
audience. Select your very best writer because s/he must
come up with language that is not merely compelling,
persuasive and believable, but clear and factual if they are
to shift perception/opinion towards your point of view
and lead to the behaviors you have in mind.

It's time to pick out the communications tactics most likely
to carry your message to the attention of your target
audience. There are many waiting for you. From speeches,
facility tours, emails and brochures to consumer briefings,
media interviews, newsletters, personal meetings and many
others. But be certain that the tactics you pick are known to
reach folks just like your audience members.

How you communicate your message is a concern because
the credibility of any message is always fragile. Which is
why you may wish to unveil your corrective message
before smaller meetings and presentations rather than
using higher-profile news releases.

If the thought of a progress report appeals to you, you must
begin a second perception monitoring session among
members of your external audience in order to measure
headway. You can use many of the same questions used in
your benchmark session. But this time, you will be on
guard for signs that the bad news perception is being
altered in your direction.

In the event the program slows down, you can always speed
things up by adding more communications tactics as well as
increasing their frequencies.

Worry can be healthy, too. Especially when it moves you
away from a major emphasis on communications tactics
and on to a plan for doing something positive about the
behaviors of those important external audiences of yours
that most affect your operation. And particularly so when
you persuade those key outside folks to your way of
thinking by helping to move them to take actions that
allow your department, division or subsidiary to succeed.

Bob Kelly counsels and writes for business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has published over 200 articles on the subject which are listed at EzineArticles.com, click Expert Author, click Robert A. Kelly. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport
News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S.
Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The
White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations. mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net - Visit:www.PRCommentary.com

Secretarial Services - Starting a business on a tight budget

Starting Your Home Based Business on a Shoestring Budget
Copyright © Stone Evans, The Home Biz Guy
http://www.PlugInProfitSite.com/main-6169

Whether seeking a supplemental income or a full-time income,
many folks have undertaken the task to discover a viable home
based business solution to meet their personal needs.

For most folks who contemplate a home business, a low-cost or
no-cost solution is not only nice, but also very necessary. Many
also seek to find a home business that will permit them to
maintain their regular day job in order to protect their base
income.

Taking the cautious approach to a home based business and
keeping one's job during the start-up period is often a very
good decision. By maintaining one's job, one can maintain the
health of their personal finances while permitting their home
business grow healthy and strong.

Fortunately, most home based businesses can be started with
little or no cash, can be maintained on a shoestring budget, and
can be operated successfully with only a part-time investment.

One day, the business will be strong enough to support itself
and its owner. When that time comes, it will make good sense for
the business owner to leave his or her outside job to dedicate
more time to growing and maintaining their new thriving home
based business. You will know when that time has finally arrived.

The nature of a home based business makes it easy and very
realistic for most folks to take the plunge into home business
ownership.

Yet, many folks put off starting their own home based business,
because they have the misconception that they will have to risk
thousands of their own hard-earned dollars at start-up. Then
later, if their business fails, they fear they may be forced to
take out a second mortgage on their house just to stay out of
bankruptcy.

Are you one of these folks? Do you let your fears of failure
keep you from reaching for your dreams?

If so, then allow me to introduce you to a few home business
ideas that you can start for less than $100 and can be started
and operated very profitably as a part-time business.


THE LIFEBLOOD OF ALL SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES

First of all, let me advise you to search out a business model
that will deliver steady and repeat business. It is the one
thing --- above all others --- that will assure that your
company can survive the test of time.


HOME-BASED MAIL ORDER:
Home-based mail order is a good example of how one can quickly
grow a home business income. Mail order is a low cost start-up
business that can be launched for around $100 USD.

With proper planning, your home-based mail order business will
not require up-front inventory purchases. In the mail order
business, it is not uncommon to rely upon drop-shippers for
product fulfillment services.

By utilizing drop-shippers, we can sell the products, collect
the money and then purchase the products from the wholesale
outlet. The wholesale outlet will then put a return address for
your company on the product packaging and deliver the product
directly to your customer.

By using the following link, you can explore the drop-ship
directory, which will let you explore the drop-shipping
companies that will enable you sell 500,000 products from over
1,000 brand name manufacturers:

http://www.home-business.com/dropship.html

Your primary expense in the mail-order business is advertising.
Classified advertising tends to be a relatively inexpensive form
of advertising with thousands of outlets available to the small
business owner.


WHOLESALE BUSINESS:
Buy low --- sell high. You can acquire high quality,
top-of-the-line merchandise for a fraction of the retail cost.
Starting a wholesale business would require a Wholesale Dealers
Directory as your source for merchandise, such as the one above
or the one listed here:

http://www.home-business.com/auction.html


AUCTIONS:
Auctions can be an excellent source for buying cheap and selling
high. Both government auctions and Internet auctions can lead to
some excellent profit opportunities. Auctions are an excellent
tool for both acquiring and selling merchandise.


MAKE AND SELL YOUR CRAFTS:
Crafts are a hot seller at country fairs, swap meets or anyplace
where people gather. Make your own crafts and sell them for a
tidy profit!


SELLING INFORMATION:
Selling information by mail is another good example of an
inexpensive home based business start-up. One can gain the
resale rights to information for usually about $50 USD. Other
costs will include printer cartridges, paper and postage. There
are plenty of free classifieds sites on the Internet, in which
to successfully advertise your information.


WRITE INFORMATIONAL BOOKLETS:
Write and publish your own informational booklets; sell them at
a high price! All you need is a little know-how, a printer,
paper and stamps. This is a GREAT home business idea! You can
also sell the resale rights to others, for extra profits. In
this age of the Internet, you may also take advantage of the
fact that selling information is one of the most profitable
endeavors one can pursue online.


OFFICE SERVICES:
Offer office services for hire in your local paper. You'll be
surprised at the amount of regular office business that can be
gleaned from one little classified ad. Word processing, typing,
accounting, data entry, proofreading, transcription, promotional
letters and newsletters. All these tasks can be accomplished
right from your own home office.


AVON REPRESENTATIVE:
Yes, Avon's been around for eternity, hasn't it? Then it's not
such a bad prospect as a home based business, is it? I once knew
a woman who did so much business as an Avon rep. that she had
people calling her and knocking at her door wanting to order
products at all hours of the day and night! Once you are an
established Avon representative, you, too, will turn a good
profit.


CONCLUSION:
On your search for the ideal home based business, try not to get
caught up in any scams that will run off with your money. There
are thousands of scam artists out there just waiting for the
next sucker to come along. Remember, if it sounds too good to be
true, then it probably is. Just use your good judgement and
invest wisely in proven methods of earning extra income.

Stone Evans Will Personally Build A Money Making Website
Just For You That's 100% Ready To Take Orders And Pull In
Massive Residual Profits. Get Details And Signup Today At:
http://www.PlugInProfitSite.com/main-6169

Secretarial Services - Business Resources

Government Resources

There is a wealth of information available on the Internet about starting and operating a business from home. In addition to web sites, these organizations have local branches that can tell you what licenses and permits you need in your town. Here are some useful web sites.

Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov
800-827-5722

The SBA's Online Women's Business Center
http://www.onlinewbc.org

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
http://www.score.org
800-827-5722

Secretarial Services - Planning for Profits

Plan Your Business for Profits
by Leva Duell
Copyright: 2005-2006

Most businesses fail to plan for success. Knowing your customers, and uniqueness are the first steps to developing a successful business. Follow these steps to position your business for profits.

Step 1: Define Your Ideal Customers, Their Needs and Concerns

Many businesses are trying to attract everybody. Don't make this mistake. Your business will be more profitable when focusing on your ideal prospects who are likely to buy your products or services. Ask the following questions to create a profile of your ideal customers.

- Who are your customers?
- Who wants or needs your products or services?
- What is the age range, gender, profession, industry, income level, and education of your ideal customers?
- What are your customers' needs, wants, and concerns?
- What problems can you solve for your customers?
- What is the common denominator of your customers?
- What information do they want?
- Are most of your customers computer literate? Will they look for products or services like yours on the Web?

After defining your ideal customers, target your sales copy, sales materials, web design and web content directly to them.

Tell right away what you offer and what's in it for them. If they don't read further, they were not prospects. Attract your target audience with a benefit-oriented headline and provide valuable, useful, and interesting information your prospects are interested in.

If you are targeting seniors, make your text large. If your prospects are accountants, use a conservative design. Make your design colorful for children. Avoid video and sound on your web site if your clients have slow computers and Internet connections.

Step 2: Demonstrate Your Uniqueness

Emphasize your uniqueness to stand out from your competition. Attract your audience with a benefit that is different from your competitors. What is your distinct advantage? What separates you from your competition? What is distinctive about your offer?

Answer these questions to help you formulate your uniqueness.

- Why should prospects buy from you instead of your competitors?
- What are the most important benefits or results your customers will achieve from your products or services?
- What do you do better than anyone else? Do you possess hard-to-find or specialized expertise?
- Do you offer a free consultation, initial visit, analysis, or better advice?
- What makes your products or services better, unique, or more desirable than your competitors?
- Do you have the lowest prices or the highest quality products in your industry?
- Do you provide the fastest service, the strongest guarantee, longest hours, or better follow up?
- Do you keep customers informed with newsletters or information hotlines?

Determine what makes your business unique. Then emphasize your uniqueness to make your sales materials and web site stand out and set you apart from your competition.

Plan your business for profits. Determine who your ideal audience is and what makes your business unique. Only after implementing these steps are you ready to start developing your sales materials and web content.

-------------------------------------------------
You can reprint this article on your web site if you include this Resource Box:
Looking for typing work at home? Start a secretarial business. The Secretarial-Business-in-a-Box provides instant tools you need to start and run a successful secretarial service. F*ree articles and business start-up newsletter at http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com.

Secretarial Services - Tips for Success

Success Tips for Small Business Owners
By Lorraine Pirihi

Running a small business requires many skills. However, to do this successfully you need to organize yourself first. Avoid procrastination - read the following and take action.

Successful Small Business Owners Look After Themselves First

Exercise regularly, eat healthily and be around positive people. Feed your mind by attending personal development courses. Read self-help and motivational books, listen to tapes. Stress management levels will be much more effective when you look after yourself.

Do the right thing by yourself and you'll have heaps of energy, be motivated, have more balance in your life which in turn will help you be more productive and successful.

Successful Small Business Owners Clean out the Clutter Regularly

You will save yourself heaps of time, energy and money if you clear out your work and home environment…paperwork, books, old equipment etc. You'll be able to find things, save money because you won't have to buy what you already have hidden somewhere, plus you'll be less stressed. Organize your office and your small business premises regularly…keep the clutter out. Eliminating clutter will help you to avoid procrastination. It's too easy to avoid getting things done if you are overwhelmed with clutter.

Successful Small Business Owners Use the Right Tools

It's no good having the latest whiz-bang computer when the desk that you sit at is too small to accommodate it, or the chair has poor back support, or the lighting is dull causing you eyestrain and fatigue. All these factors heavily influence how you work. Invest in a decent desk, purchase a desk lamp or change the light globes.

Don't avoid the warning signs your body gives you. Take action now before you have eye, back or neck problems.

Successful Small Business Owners Use a Diary or Digital organiser

With so much to organize in your small business, you need to record your appointments and things to do and goals somewhere. Preferably in a paper diary or digital organiser that you can take everywhere. This is the most effective way to get things done, plan your work and your life. Balance is extremely important. Top achievers are great at time management (even if they have to pay someone else to organize them).

Successful Small Business Owners Learn to say "No"

To dramatically improve your productivity and do more of the things you want, you have to be firm with others and let them know if you cannot, will not or are unavailable to fulfil their requests. If you constantly say "yes" to everyone else's requests you will never have the time to do what you really want to.

Book yourself into a self-assertiveness course to learn these skills if you feel you need to.

Successful Small Business Owners Do What They Do Best and Delegate the Rest

See what tasks you can delegate tasks which would suit someone else's talents. Many small business owners are spending heaps of time on mundane secretarial tasks which would take a person who is trained in that area a quarter of the time to undertake. Stress management is an important part of running your small business. Reduce the stress by delegating or outsourcing wherever you can.

Use a bookkeeper, personal assistant or virtual assistant. Always ask yourself, who else can I get to do this? Use your time management to focus on what you do best.

Successful Small Business Owners Only Have Meetings if Necessary

Make sure the meetings you organize in your small business are relevant and run effectively. Avoid procrastination - always make sure there is an outcome and all actions are followed through.

The Final Word

By following these simple yet very effective time management tips for small business owners you will have more control over your work and your life. You'll have more balance, experience less stress and be more proactive.

Avoid procrastination…take action today!

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!" To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au

Secretarial Services - Jump Start Sales

10 Amazing Ways To Jump Start Your Sales

1. Find a strategic business partner. Look for ones that have the same objective. You can trade leads, share marketing info, sell package deals, etc.

2. Brand your name and business. You can easily do this by just writing articles and submitting them to e-zines or web sites for republishing.

3. Start an auction on your web site. The type of auction could be related to the theme of your site. You'll draw traffic from auctioneers and bidders.

4. Remember to take a little time out of your day or week to brainstorm. New ideas are usually the difference between success and failure.

5. Model other successful business or people. I'm not saying out right copy them, but practice some of the same habits that have made them succeed.

6. Take risks to improve your business. Sometimes businesses don't want to advertise unless it's free, sometimes you have to spend money to get results.

7. Include emotional words in your advertisements. Use ones like love, security, relief, freedom, happy, satisfaction, fun, etc.

8. Ask people online to review your web site. You can use the comments you get to improve your website or you may turn the reviewer into a customer.

9. Out source part of your workload. You'll save on most employee costs. You could out source your secretarial work, accounting, marketing, etc.

10. Combine a product and service together in a package deal. It could increase your sales. If you're selling a book, 1. Find a strategic business partner. Look for ones that have the same objective. You can trade leads,share marketing info, sell package deals, etc.

Merry GAGNOL - mailto:support@netprofitblueprint.comhttp://www.netprofitblueprint.com/?ref=181

Secretarial Services - Medical Transcription

Technologically Boosting the Medical Transcription Company
By Joe Miller

Medical Transcription Company

Virtually every medical service provider dictates SOAP notes into recorders for transcription and sends them off to a medical transcription company to transcribe and return a refined copy of necessary medical information.

In fact, without the medical transcription company the medical service provider would be too overburdened with transcription to pay the attention it needs to its clients. However, the medical transcription company has had to undergo technological changes in order to keep up with demand and with competition. Fast-paced medical service requires fast-paced medical transcription. So, which medical transcription company will survive? The answer is the one that takes advantage of time-saving technology.

Medical Transcription

This answer is not at all uncommon now-a-days, but it is especially challenging in the field of medical transcription. Medical transcription is just as it sounds: transcribing on paper the notes that were audio recorded. It doesn’t seem at first that much more technology is needed than a word processor and a cassette tape player.

The crux of the matter is controlling quantity. Effective records of SOAP notes, especially in the quantities supplied by medical offices, require the technological ability to not only record medical transcription but also to track it and store it.

Medical Transcription Job

The medical transcription job would be daunting at best without the help of technology. Let me review a general version of a medical transcription job check list:

1. Receive tapes from medical service provider.

2. Transcribe 1st draft of SOAP notes.

3. Save transcription.

4. Continue process with entire batch.

5. Review medical transcription for errors.

6. Make changes on 1st draft of medical transcriptions.

7. Send medical transcriptions back to medical service provider.

8. Bill medical service provider.

This process most often overlaps itself due to the management of multiple batches from multiple service providers. Organizational skill is high up on the requirements list for a medical transcription specialist.

Medical Transcription Program

Due to the massive amounts of medical transcription jobs and batches continually being sent back and forth between medical service providers and the medical transcription company, the market has awakened to meet medical transcription needs. Looking for a medical transcription program is so easy, it’s hard. Just type “medical transcription program” into Google, Yahoo, or MSN and witness first hand the millions of indexed pages you might have to sift through.

In your search for a versatile medical transcription program suitable to medical service providers’ needs, there are a few things to keep in mind. A medical transcription program has the ability to work in house, without IT infrastructure overhead.

There are additional medical transcription program specs to keep an eye out for. For example, a medical transcription program which combines the secure storage of medical databases and medical transcription provides the security and accessibility a medical service provider needs.

The right medical transcription program also provides organization for tracking the editorial stages of the SOAP notes and securing them, as well as sending them back to the right medical service provider.

The medical service provider runs a race of efficiency and professionalism in order to stay in business. The right medical transcription program provides a technological boost to propel medical service providers ahead of the rest of the pack.

Joe Miller is an author of informational articles and online advertisements on business, technology, and health. Information on Medical Transcription Company is available at AdvancedMD.com.

Secretarial Services - Ink Cartridge

The Great Ink Cartridge Conspiracy!

Buying an inkjet printer these days is no big deal. A reliable printer can be acquired very easily through a store or online for as little as $50. Some suppliers are even giving away inkjet printers on promotions or as free incentives when buying other products. On the face of it, it seems like too good an opportunity to pass by - a worthwhile investment you might say.

But, much like a traditional camera that uses film, an inkjet printer is only 'cheap' before you start using it. The cost of keeping it in ink soon mounts up, especially when you're buying OEM (original equipment manufactured) inkjet cartridges as recommended by the printer manufacturer. Before you know it you'll find that you've actually spent more on the ink cartridges than you did on the purchase of the inkjet printer itself!

If you're in this position - and let's face it, most of us are - what follows could be quite a revelation!

Five things inkjet printer manufacturers DON'T want you to know…

Inkjet printer manufacturers make their money selling ink cartridges NOT inkjet printers Selling recommended OEM ink cartridges is a very lucrative business for inkjet printer manufacturers. They know that once you've purchased the printer you'll be coming back to them time and time again to buy the ink that they recommend in the user guide and any other literature that accompanies the printer.

Fair enough you might say, but given that the price of manufacturing an OEM ink cartridge is only a few cents why are the cartridges so expensive?

The answer is that ink cartridges are in fact stuffed full of manufacturer profit. It is where they make their money, and is precisely why they are happy to give away an inkjet printer for nothing.

Inkjet cartridges supplied for 'free' with inkjet printers are rarely full OEM ink cartridges supplied with the printer are designed only to provide enough ink for a few pages to get you 'started'. From the manufacturer's perspective this is a great selling technique, as free cartridges can often make the difference between a retailer closing a sale or losing it…and once you've got the printer the manufacturer is going to make money out of you every time you order more OEM ink! Supplying ink cartridges that are not full shortens the timeframe over which consumers start ordering OEM ink cartridges too. This brings the manufacturer into profit on each customer much more quickly than had they supplied full cartridges for free with the printer.

Consumers have a choice about which inkjet cartridges to buy It's true! Contrary to popular belief consumers are not obliged to purchase expensive OEM ink cartridges from the manufacturer. They can in fact opt to buy cheaper 'compatible' ink cartridges or remanufactured cartridges, often realizing savings on their ink purchase of between 50% and 75%!! All major inkjet cartridge brands are covered, including Apple, Canon, Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Brother, Epson, IBM and Xerox. What's more they do the job just as well as OEM cartridges but at a much lower cost!

Compatible inkjet cartridges DO NOT automatically void a printer's warranty Regardless of what you might have heard compatible inkjet cartridges WILL NOT automatically void your printer warranty. In fact, it is ILLEGAL for manufacturers in the United States & Canada to claim that using compatible cartridges will automatically void your printer warranty. For more details on this go to http://www.prontoink.com/?T=Info&ID=printer_warranties

You can make money by reselling compatible ink cartridges

The market for compatible ink cartridges is continually expanding. More and more consumers are choosing to switch to compatible inks that offer the same print quality at half the cost of OEM cartridges. This creates the opportunity for business-minded individuals to make money through affiliate reselling programs as well as save money on their ink cartridge purchases.

Having read this do you feel like you've been hoodwinked by the big boys? Well, it's now time to stand up for your rights! You no longer have to line the pockets of multi-nationals when buying ink cartridges. Think 'compatible ink' and save yourself hundreds of dollars each year on the cost of running your printer.

http://www.prontoink.comis/ an international supplier of inkjet & laser cartridges based in Midland, Texas. Resellers should visit http://www.prontoink.com/incomeop/

Secretarial Services - Starting a Home Business

Starting a Home Business
by Mary Evans

In these days, it's becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet with just one source of income. Thus, more and more people are investigating the possibilities of starting their own extra-income business. Most of these part-time endeavors are started and operated from the comfort and privacy of the home.

Most of these people are making the extra money they need. Some have wisely and carefully built these extra income efforts into full-time, very profitable businesses. Others are just keeping busy, having fun, and enjoying life as never before. The important thing is that they are doing something other than waiting for the government to give them a handout; they are improving their lot in life, and you can do it, too!

The fields of mail order selling, multi-level marketing, and in-home party sales have never been more popular. If any of these kinds of extra income producing ideas appeal to you, then you owe it to yourself to check them out. But these aren't the only fields of endeavor you can start and operate from home, with little or no investment, and learn as you go.

If you type, you can start a home-based typing service; if you have a truck or have access to a trailer, you can start a clean-up/hauling service. Simply collecting old newspapers from your neighbors can get you started in the paper recycling business. More than a few enterprising housewifes have found success and fortune by starting home and/or apartment cleaning services. If you have a yard full of flowers, you can make good extra money by supplying fresh cut flowers to restaurants and offices in your area on a regular basis. You might turn a ceramics hobby into a lucrative personalized coffee mug business. What I'm saying is that in reality, there's literally no end to the ways you can start and operate a profitable extra income business from your home.

The first thing you must do, however, is some basic market research. Find out for yourself, first-hand, just how many people there are in your area who are interested in your proposed product or service, and would be "willing to stand in line and pay money for it". This is known as defining your market and pinpointing your customers. If after checking around, talking about your idea with a whole lot of people over a period of one to three months, you get the idea that these people would be paying customers, your next effort should be directed toward the "detailing" of your business plan. The more precise and detailed your plan - covering all the bases relating to how you'll do everything that needs to be done - the easier it's going to be for you to attain success. Such a plan should show you start-up investment needs, your advertising plan, your production costs and procedure, your sales program, and how your time will be allocated. Too often, enthusiastic and ambitious entrepreneur jump in on an extra income project and suddenly find that the costs are beyond their abilities, and the time requirements more than they can meet. It pays to lay it all out on paper before you get involved, and the clearer you can "see" everything before you start, the better your chances for success.

Now, assuming you've got your market targeted, you know who your customers are going to be and how you're going to reach them with your product or service. And you have all your costs as well as time requirements itemized. The next step is to set your plan in motion and start making money.

Here is the most important "secret" of all, relating to starting and building a profitable home-based business, so read very carefully. Regardless of what kind of business you start, you must have the capital and the available time to sustain your business through the first six months of operation. Specifically, you must not count on receiving or spending any money coming in from your business on yourself or for your bills during those first six months. All the income from your business during those first six months should be reinvested in your business in order for it to grow and reach your planned first year potential.

Once you've passed that first six months milestone, you can set up a small monthly salary for yourself, and begin enjoying the fruits of your labor. But the first six months of operation for any business are critical, so do not plan to use any of the money you business generates for yourself during that period.

If you've got your business plan properly organized, and have implemented the plan, you should at the end of your first year be able to begin thinking about hiring other people to alleviate some of your workload. Remember this: Starting a successful business is not a means towards either a job for yourself or a way to keep busy. It should be regarded as the beginning of an enterprise that will grow and prosper, with you as the top dog. Eventually, you'll have other people doing all the work for you, even running the entire operation, while you vacation in the Bahamas or Hawaii and collect or receive regular income from your initial efforts.

For more details on market research, business planning, advertising, selling, order fulfillment, and other aspects of home-based businesses, check with your library or book store.

MARY S. EVANS
mary-evan7@excite.com
COPYWRITER/EDITOR/CREATIVE MEDIA CONSULTANT

Secretarial Services - Marketing

Marketing is a big subject. It's complex and often misunderstood.We often try to avoid those marketing people because they annoy like anything to promote their products.After all they are fighting for their livelihood. I feel pity for them.

If we accept that every organization has customers or clients -- a public to serve -- then there has to be marketing. Without marketing your public won't be aware of your service or products and you won't have a market. Without a market you won't have a business.

Read the rest of the article here.

Word Processing

Word Processing: "6 Ways to Keep Your Word Documents Organized
If you spend a lot of time searching for your Word documents, then this guide is a must read. Find out what you can do to take the stress out of finding your documents and take control of your hard drive."

Sticky transcription labels

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.:
"Where can I find sticky transcription labels?

• Forms and Filing Systems, Dennis Corbin, ffs@formsandfilingsystems.com, 800, 472-0171, fax 706, 802-1880, http://www.mdfile.net
  
• Handeze Gloves, http://www.handeze.com, 800-686-1722, Fax 203-269-5307.
  
• March and Green, P. O. Box 155, Wayne, IL 60184, marchgren@aol.com, 800, 447-6004.
  
• Medical Arts Press, Office Management Supplies, 8500 Wyoming Avenue N., Minneapolis, MN 55445, 800-826-6706, Fax 800-328-0023.
  
• Pat Systems, http://www.transpaper.com/, 3929 Parkside Place, Flower Mound, TX75022-4792, 800, 543-1911, info@transpaper.com. Sticky Paper and Softflex Computer Gloves.
  
• Quill Corp., http://www.quillcorp.com/CATALOG/ICS/CATgetPGroup.cfm/11/243/A, info@quillcorp.com."

Web sites with business information

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "Where can I find websites with business information?
Business Resource Center, http://www.morebusiness.com/running_your_business
Small Business Resource Links, http://smallbizhelp.net/links.htm
ICD-9 Codes, http://www.aafp.org/fpm/971100fm/icd9_fp.html."

Digital transcription equipment

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.:
Below you'll find companies selling dictation and transcription equipment, including digital equipment.

• Used equipment ads and auction on MT Dailyhttp://www.mtdaily.com/ads.html
  All-Makes Office Machines, http://www.all-makes.com, 17581 Irvine Bl. #101, Tustin, CA 92780, 714, 730-4857, Fax 714, 730-5103, angie Shepard, angie@all-makes.com
  
• Arrendale Associates, http://www.aaita.com/, 800, 344-1323, 20484G Chartwell Center Drive, Cornelius, NC 28031.
  
• Atlas Ergonomic Book and Copy Holders, http://www.copyholders.com, 800-get-atlas, Cincinnati, OH, dainoffm@copyholders.com
  
• Auction Supersite, http://www.onsale.com, Auction Supersite
  
• Barclay Enterprises, http://www.barclayent.com
  
• Bob's PC Werks, http://www.bobspcwerks.com, 504 Bishop Avenue, Richardson, TX 75081, 214-763-3768, 877-320-1241
  
• BVP Computers, (Bargain C-phone) http://www.dvips.com, 113 Grant Street, Plainfield, Ma. 01070, 413, 634-2187, Bruce Stockwell, bvpcomp@dvips.com
  
• Bytescribe Development Company, digital equipment, http://www.bytescribe.com, P. O. Box 36183, Birmingham, AL 35236, 205, 425-1981 Ext. 4412, postmaster@bytescribe.com
  
• Careflow Net, http://www.careflow.com, 15215 Edwards Ferry Road, Poolesville, Maryland 20837, 301-349-0700.
  
• Catalyst Systems, http://www.catalystsys.com, 405, 943-1655, fax 405, 943-1655, P. O. Box 57210, Oklahoma City, OK 73157-7210, sales@catalystsys.com,p> Cooperative Systems, http://www.coopsys.com, 998 Farmington Ave., #101, West Hartford, CT 06107-2162, 860-523-1000, fax 860-523-1032, info@coopsys.com
  
• Costal Audio, http://www.coastalaudio.com, 609-660-9211, Fax: 609-660-2131, 888-660-9211, info@costa"

Job listing for medical transcriptionists

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "Job Listings
Job Listings and Resumes at MT Daily's MT Jobs, http://www.mtjobs.com
List of Companies by State and City, http://www.mtdaily.com/mtcos.html
Company Profiles for MTs, http://mtjobs.com/
CQI Placement Service, Carolyn Lee, http://www.angelfire.com/biz/medrec/index.html, Dallas, 888-735-8999.
Health Information Jobs, http://www.gvpub.com/empidx/adindex.htm
Home Jobs, http://www.homejobs.addr.com
Monster Board Jobs, http://www.monster.com
MT Connection Placement, Susan Foreman, MTConnection@yahoo.com
NationJob, http://www.nationjob.com/admin
Newspaper Job Ads, http://www.careerpath.com"

Re-recording over the phone - C-phone

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "What is a C-phone? How is rerecording over the telephone done?
A C-phone is a digital receiver transcriber/phone that accesses digital dictation from another location over the phone.
Rerecording involves using a tape recorder or transcriber with recording capabilities, a speaker telephone, and an inexpensive phone coupler (such as those made by Radio Shack, http://www.radioshack.comOne method of re-recording involves using the telephone to dial into a hospital's digital dictation system and playing the doctors' dictations while recording them for transcription at a later time. Also see http://www.mtdaily.com/mt1/recording.html page.
Return to top"

transcription equipment and tools

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "What companies offer medical spellcheckers, electronic dictionaries, line counters, ergonomics, and other transcription equipment?
For WP5.1, books, and used equipment, see used sales at http://www.mtdaily.com/ads.html. Also see http://www.recycledsoftware.com, and http://www.ebay.com.
The Abacus line counter: http://www.theabacus.biz/index.html
MedPen and MedPad, automated formats, line counter, and more http://www.medpen.net, 800-579-4300, Fax 727-579-4300, Joe Vann, medpen@ibm.net, 3131 Emmaus Way, Cosby, TN 37722.
Stedman's of Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, http://www.stedmans.com, 800-638-3030, 301-714-2300, Fax: 301-824-7390, P.O. Box 1600, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
W. B. Saunders now Elsevier, http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/specialty.jsp?lid=3&sid=442.
Spellex, spellchecker and online spellchecker, http://www.spellex.com 800, 442-9673, 813, 885-1968, Fax 813, 855-2581, custsvce@spellex.com, 8313 W. Hillsborough Ave Suite 430, Tampa, FL 33615
Sylcount and spellchecker, Sylvan Software, http://www.sylvansoft.com, 5144 N. Academy Blvd., #531, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, 800, 235-9455, fax 719, 495-8119, sales@sylvansoft.com
PractiCount line counter, http://www.practiline.com, Practiline Software, P.O. Box 34069 #381, Seattle, WA 98124-1069, USA, FAX: 206-984-3919, info@practiline.com
WP Count for WordPerfect, Productive Performance, http://www.foxcomm.net/productive/WPCOUNT.htm, 425, 788-8300, 31820 NE 103rd Street, Carnation, WA 98014-9710, 206-788-8300, productive@foxcomm.net
PC Anywhere, http://www.symantec.com/pcanywhere/ 9 Golden Hill St. Bethel, CT 06801
DataHand Ergonomic Keyb"

Medical dictionaries and word books for medical transcriptionists

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "What companies publish or sell medical dictionaries and word books and CDs?
See the Books Direct for all your reference book needs at the lowest prices.
Both the MTDaily.com Classifieds and the MTDaily.com Bargain page have used books at reasonable prices.
Paul Norton sells and buys used MT books, pnorton1@twcny.rr.com, 800, 628-8477.
American Association for Medical Transcription, http://www.aamt.org 800, 982-2182, Book of Style and word books.
Facts and Comparisons, American Drug Index, and Quarterly Drug Index http://www.factsandcomparisons.com/shop.asp, (800)223-0554 or (314)216-2100.
Health Professions Institute, http://www.hpisum.com, Box 801, Modesto, CA 95353, 209, 551-2112, hpi@ainet.com, word books and more.
Prentice Hall, http://www.prenhall.com, Saddle River, NJ 07458, 800-811-0912, Fax 515-284-2607
W. B. Saunders now Elsevier, http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/specialty.jsp?lid=3&sid=442, word books and Dorland's.
Stedman's of Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, http://www.stedmans.com'>, dictionary and word books.
Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia, Tarascon Publishing, http://www.tarascon.com/, 800-929-9926, PO Box 1159, Loma Linda, CA 92354"

Journals for medical transcriptionists

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "What journals are available?
Monthly Prescribing Reference, http://www.prescribingreference.com, 800-436-9262, Prescribing Reference, Inc., 53 Park Place, Suite 1010, New York, NY 10007 USA, Attn: Circulation Dept.--Code HS.
Advance for Health Information Professionals, a free biweekly to health information professionals: http://www.advanceforhim.com/, Advance@Merion.com, Merion Publications, Inc. 800, 355-5627
For The Record, a weekly for health information professionals: http://www.fortherecordmag.com/ Great Valley Publishing Company, 1288 Valley Forge Rd., P.O. Box 2224, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
Journal of the American Health Information Management Association, Journal of AHIMA, http://www.ahima.org/products/subscription.html.
Journal of Healthcare Information Management, http://www.himss.org/ASP/publications_jhim.asp .
MT Daily Rounds, http://www.mtdaily.com/rounds, a Friday E-mail newsletter with highlights from MT Daily and links of interest. "

Organizations for Medical transcriptionists

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "Are there any organizations for MTs?
On-line MTs are researching and networking through email, newsletters, state boards, forums and web sites.
AAMT, The American Association for Medical Transcription, http://www.aamt.org was founded in 1978. aamt@sna.com, P.O. Box 576187, Modesto, CA 95357-6187; 800, 982-2182. Fax: 209, 551-9317. Members receive the bimonthly Journal of the Association for American Medical Transcription; access to AAMT's professional staff; discounts on products and services; educational conferences; the names of local AAMT Chapter Presidents; an examination to become a Certified Medical Transcriptionist; and opportunities to serve in local and national leadership.
MTIA, Medical Transcription Industry Alliance, for MT Services: http://www.mtia.com
HPI, Health Professions Institute, http://www.hpisum.com offers publications and seminars. Box 801, Modesto, CA 95353, 209, 551-2112, hpi@ainet.com.
AHIMA, American Health Information Management Association, http://www.ahima.org/index.cfm, 919 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60611, 312, 787-3672, info@ahima.org.
HIMSS, The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, http://www.himss.org, 230 East Ohio, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611-3269, 312/664-HIMS, Fax 312/664-6143, himss@himss.org.
Health Information Management Supersite, http://www.himinfo.com, OPUSCOMM Online, 200 Hoods Lane, Marblehead, MA 01945 USA, Phone: 800/650-6787, Fax: 800/639-8511.
Medical Records Institute, http://www.medrecinst.com, Medical Records Institute, 567 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 600770, Newton, MA 02460, 617, 964-3923, Fax 617, 964-3926, jasong@medrecinst.com."

MT Daily - correspondence courses for medical transcriptionists

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.:
On-Line and Correspondence Courses for medical transcription:

• Andrews School, http://www.andrewsschool.com/, Linda Andrews, 5601 NW 72nd #167, Oklahoma City, OK 73132, 405-721-3555. Dial 999 when the recorded message starts. You will hear a series of beeps. The system should allow you to leave a message if no one answers. linda@andrewsschool.com
  
• At-Home Professions, home-study course, 2001 Lowe Street, Fort Collins, CO 80525. 1-800-333-2846, Fax 1-970-223-1678. http://www.at-homeprofessions.com/. Includes audio cassettes, lessons, text materials and flashcards. Susan Henry, SusanH824@aol.com.
  Blackboard.Com, http://www.blackboard.com, free online medical terminology courses.
  Brighton College, 3855 Fishcreek Road, Stow, OH 44224, http://www.brightoncollege.edu phone: 800-231-3803 fax: 330-673-4833
  
• CAI Transcription, Cheryl Izzo, http://www.caitranscription.com, 609-698-6544, 116 Stillwater Road, Barnegat, NJ 08005.
  
• CanScribe.com: http://canscribe.com/, CanScribe Career Centre Inc., British Columbia, Canada phone. 250.860.1535 fax. 250.860.4712, toll free. 1.800.466.1535 info@canscribe.com
  
• Career Step, http://careerstep.com, 1220 North Main Street, Suite 6, Springville, Utah 84663, 801-489-9393, Fax 801-491-6645info@careerstep.com
  
• Central Business School, http://www.upfirst.com/cbstrain/medtrans.htm, Central Business School, 906, 226-5270, michaeleen@upfirst.com.
  
• Education Direct, http://www.educationdirect.com/index.html, 800 889-9593, FAX 570-343-8462, P.O. Box 1900, Scranton, PA 18501
  Garb Transcription, http://www.garbtranscription.com, JGarb87517@aol.com, (415) 927-8132.
  
• GMT Distance Learning Center, http://medicaltrans.net, PO Box 1421 Kaunakakai

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "3. What home training programs are available?
Questions to ask schools: http://www.mtdaily.com/mtbyschool/qlist.html
Local: Junior college and trade school classes are available locally.
California: South Coast College, http://www.southcoastcollege.com, 1380 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806, 714-635-6464, admissions@southcoastcollege.com
California: Santa Barbara, Gail N. Shannon, gshannon@sbch.org, fax: 805-569-7867
Georgia: Georgia Center Gatlin Course: http://www.gactr.uga.edu/is/gatlin/
Illinois: Career Colleges of Chicago, 11 E. Adams, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-6301,(312) 895-6310, (312) 895-6301 (fax)
Texas: Shirley Baker Career Institute, 11500 Northwest Freeway, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77092 713-680-2900
Texas: Medical Transcription Training and Service, 2626 S. Loop West, Ste. #117, Houston, TX 77054, Wendolyn Ann Smith, 713, 660-0355, wasm2@prodigy.net', http://www.thetranscriptionconnection.com
Texas: Med-Line, http://www.medlineschool.com/, 14011 Park Drive, Suite 224, Tomball, Texas 77375, 281-351-5786 Office, 888-220-6550, admissions@medlineschool.com.
New York: Queens College, http://www.qc.edu/CEP/mt.htm, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY 11367, 718, 997-5000.
New York: Stenotopia, http://www.stenotopia.com/, 45 South Service Road, Plainview, N.Y. 11803, 800-349-1117, Fax: 777-1145.
Pennsylvania: Bidwell Training Center, 1815 Metropolitan, Pittsburgh, PA 15233, 412 323-4000, is an accredited, nonprofit, state and corporate-funded program.
Virginia: MT Support Services, http://www.mtsupport.com/, 15401 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News"

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.

MT Daily - medical transcription, work at home.: "How does one become a medical transcriptionist?

For an experienced word processor, it is possible to learn medical transcription while working in an entry-level position, but it is rare because of the need to learn medical vocabulary and formats. Some colleges and hospitals offer classes, and there are several home-study courses available.

MTs work in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals and transcription services. They also work from home, usually after 2-3 years of experience in an office or hospital. With more experience, MTs go on to teach, supervise, consult, edit and write in the field.

Step-by-Step Guide to Medical Transcription at Home, book by Michele Miller, http://www.startasecretarialbusiness.com/medical-transcription.html
How to Be a Medical Transcriptionist, book by Cynthia Peavler Bull, http://www.cynrje.com/medicaltranscriptionist.htm
Medical Transcription, Getting Started, book by AnnaBelle Berg, http://medical-transcription-gettingstarted.com
How to Become a Medical Transcriptionist, book by George Morton, CMT, http://www.workingfrom.homestead.com, 609-924-4748, georgecmt@aol.com, Interview, 11/98

College in Malta,Secretarial Business Diploma Courses

College in Malta,Secretarial Business Diploma Courses: "College in Malta - Secretarial Business Diploma Courses
Learnkey Secretarial School has been operating in Malta since 1995 and the Learnkey staff is proud to belong to one of Malta's first ever schools for Secretarial, Administration and Business Diploma Courses. We also offer high standard IT Tuition and are accredited by the ECDL Foundation. Learnkey Training Institute is also accredited by Messrs Pitman City & Guilds of the UK and takes pride in its reputation for the Full Time and Part Time Courses that it offers to its ever growing group of students."

Small Business Resources

Small Business Resources: ":: Government Resources
Small Business Administration - business administration with a mission to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small businesses and by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters.
SCORE - SCORE 'Counselors to America's Small Business' is a nonprofit association dedicated to providing entrepreneurs with free, confidential face-to-face and email business counseling. Business counseling and workshops are offered at 389 chapter offices across the country.
Women's Business Center - resources specically for women's owned business centers."

Secretarial Services:Something money can't buy: good customer service

I'm sure we've all been in situations where a vendor of some sort has let us down because of their ... more...


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Secretarial Services:Acusis Recognized for Excellence in Billing and Pricing Methodologies (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)

Pittsburgh based Acusis, a leading provider of medical transcription services to hospitals, clinics and physician practices was recognized for outstanding excellence after placing as a runner-up for the 2005 MTIA Billing Method Principles Beacon Award. more...


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Secretarial Services:How to recapture"lost"customers and clients

One of my favorite lunch spots is a Mexican chain called Qdoba. Like many restaurants, they have a customer loyalty program. In a nutshell, the more you eat there, the more incentives they give you to keep coming back. It’s a good deal all around.

This week, something happened with that program that impressed me, and packs a heck of a marketing lesson for local small business owners. Let me explain…I’ve been traveling lately, and had not been to Qdoba in nearly a month. When I returned home from my last trip, I checked my E-mail and found a message from them inside.

Here’s an excerpt: We’re About To Put Your Face On A Milk Carton. Michael, We haven’t seen you around lately. And we miss you. So here’s a quick reminder about why you came here in the first place. We’ve got hundreds of menu options, from burritos to grilled quesadillas, taco salads and Warm 3-Cheese Queso that has been known to bring taste buds to their knees. And, it’s all made fast, fresh and right in front of you from real, fresh ingredients. One taste will remind you. You’ll never go missing again. –> GET FRESH FOR FREE. Buy any entree, get any entree of equal or lesser value FREE.

The “marketing geek” term for this is a lost customer promotion. The idea is bring people who had been good customers in the past, but have not been in recently, back in the restaurant to buy again. These campaigns are astoundingly effective, but most businesses just do not execute the strategy well. This is why I was so impressed by Qdoba.

Most retail, service and business-to-business companies assume that if a customer or client bought once they will be back when they are ready to buy again. This is foolish and flat-out wrong.

The most successful small businesses know that customers and clients stop buying not because they are unhappy, but simply because they feel unappreciated and ignored. A lost client campaign is a cheap and effective way to make those clients feel appreciated and let them know you want them back. It only takes one return sale you wouldn't have otherwise had to pay for an entire campaign every single month.

Here is a simple, 3-step strategy you can use to put one of these systems to work in your own small business.

Make sure you capture all client information, everytime, no exceptions - You need a system that will capture the contact and transaction information of your customers, the initial sale and all subsequent sales.

Run a report every month of clients who have not bought from you recently - If your business is retail, a period of 60-90 days after their last purchase is optimal. For business consulting, the period depends upon the solutions you offer.

Send a personal letter designed to bring them back to your small business - Let them know they are missed and that you want to make sure they have been happy with their solutions. Make a special offer to bring them back in the fold. For retail, a certificate for something free with any purchase works well. Businesses respond well to "technology check-ups" and information about new solutions you have available. more...


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Secretarial Services:A Simple Way to Happier Customers

A few nights back I drove (way too fast, ahem) towards Hollywood Video to pick up a few DVDs. The time was 11:57 when I pulled up to the curb and hopped out of my car.

As I approached the door, the clerk on the other side noticed me, raced towards the door and quickly slammed the lock shut while doing his best not to make eye contact.It got me thinking about another experience at Borders.

I’m a night person. I love books. I love going to Borders at 10PM, and staying until the 11PM closing bell. But it’s not unheard of for me to get in the door at 10:50 with a big list of books to grab and buy.

Usually, I’m greeted with cold stares from the folks whose wages I pay. Just once, I’d love to hear across the loudspeaker:

“It’s 11PM and we’re closed, but if you love books as much as we do, you might need just a couple more minutes to decide on your purchases. Go ahead. The doors are locked but we’ll keep the registers open for just another 5 minutes. Make your selections and come on up.”

The truth is they are already keeping the registers open at both Hollywood AND Borders the extra five minutes, because there are customers who stay until the last minute and need the time to checkout.

Local retailers: Why not teach your people to turn it into … yet another reason … to love your store; instead of making your customers feel like they are ruining your employees’ nights? Little things count! more...


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Secretarial Services:Entrepreneur quiz and top 10 list

Fun post at Fractals of Change on the top 10 ways to tell if you are an entrepreneur.
My personal favorites:

10. You can’t bring yourself to call anyone “boss”.

8. Instead of saying “there oughtta be a law”, you say “there could be a business…”

2. You have to take two zeros OFF the numbers in your business plan or no one will believe it.

1. You didn’t read this list because you already know what you are (and you don’t have time to read lists).

Read the rest at: Are You an Entrepreneur?. more...


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Secretarial Services:Business card design tips

Advances in printing technology have created a cottage industry for online business card companies that offer full-color cards for extremely competitive prices. Enter �?obusiness cards�?� in any popular search engine, and you�?Tll find hundreds of companies boasting thousands of eclectic designs�?"from patriotic motifs to fields of morning glories.If you�?Tre tempted to upgrade your business card to a design featuring a gleaming racecar or pastoral scene, slam on the brakes! When choosing a design, less is more. If you wouldn�?Tt insert a photo of a cuddly kitten on your resume, what would possess you to place one on your business card�?"unless, perchance, you�?Tre a veterinarian?For most professionals, an uncomplicated, clean design works best. If you work in a creative field, where �?oedgy�?� is the buzzword, you can afford to experiment. Otherwise, follow these basic rules:Traditional black type on a white or cream card stock never goes out of style.Paper selection matters. Opt for 12 pt. card stock, which is the ideal paper weight.You may choose a matte (dull) or glossy finish. Gloss is often overkill, while matte remains classic. Use your judgment, based on your specific industry�?Ts norms.Business cards should be considered part of your marketing kit. Their design should tie in with your letterhead, envelopes and other communication tools. If you don�?Tt already have a logo, hire a designer who can create a corporate identity package that features a consistent look. A final reminder: Always carry your business cards with you, and replenish your supply long before you give away your last card. more...


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Secretarial Services:Quick Conversation Starters

Ever wanted a simple way to start a conversation? Here’s Bruce Allen’s take on it… An age old dilemma when meeting new people at business networking events. What am I going to say?

You wonder how to start a conversation; worry that you'll sound silly commenting on weather for the billionth time. Read Bruce’s post to find out how to change that. more...


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Secretarial Services: Turn a passion in to a business

Turning a passion into a business more...


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Secretarial Services:Planning for a Home-Based Business

I would like to start working out of my home in the next couple of years. What can I do now to prepare? You definitely want to have goals ... more...


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Secretarial Services:Should I Keep My Day Job While I Start My Business?

I’m thinking about leaving my job and starting my own home-based business. Should I try to keep my current job while I start up my business, or should I just go for it? It's a good idea to retain ... more...


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Secretarial Services:Tax Breaks for Home Businesses

I've heard that home-based businesses get tax breaks from the IRS. Is that true, and what kinds of tax breaks are we talking about? The most important tax break for home-based business owners is ... more...


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Secretarial Services:60-Second Guide to Setting Up a Home Office

There’s no place like home, especially when you get to work there too. While others deal with frustrating commutes and noisy cubicles, you’re getting ahead and getting things done. Or ar ... more...


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Secretarial Services:Small Business Advertising Basics

In the broadest sense, anything that promotes your business might be considered advertising, whether it's a radio spot, a brochure or a trade show booth. But the term "advertising" usually refers to p ... more...


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Secretarial Services:Learn What Keeps Your Customers Up at Night

Sometimes there's just no substitute for good old-fashioned communication.Just ask Adrienne Lumpkin. She'll tell you customer relationships were key to the success of Alternate Access, the Raleigh, No ... more...


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Secretarial Services:What Basic Information Goes in a Press Release?

In addition to the news itself, your press release should indicate where your company is headquartered and who to contact for more information ; or to set up an interview. Both of those things, along ... more...


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Secretarial Services:It's a Great Time to Be an Entrepreneur!

It is a great time to be an entrepreneur. It's never been easier, faster or cheaper to get into business then it is now. I see the trend continuing with every year allowing businesses to be started with less and less money. Notice I didn't say personal effort or the ability to conquer your fears were getting easier, but the fact that the costs are driving down will allow people who have the guts and drive to start a business. more...


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Secretarial Services:Cultivating Biz Whizzes

Steve Mariotti of NFTE wrote one of the first business books I ever read. It is still on my shelf. It is great to see that his company is still influencing America's young people. Please note that starting and running a business is a lot of hard work, but so is a job. I'd personally rather be running a business. Doug Kersten Cultivating Biz Whizzes "More teens are starting their own businesses, and groups like the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship are helping them do it. Many people who decide to become entrepreneurs do so because they aren't satisfied with more...


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Secretarial Services:The Importance Of Subheads In Your Marketing

You need to seriously look at the layout of your marketing materials.  Look at your web pages, your brochures, your emails, your handouts, your sales letters - and all of your advertisements.Are you using subheads?You should be.It's easier on the eyes to have a scanning ability built in.  And subheads make it easy on the reader to quickly find the areas that are of interest.Chances are... they will not read your sales piece from start to finish.  They will skim and scan - looking for things that catch your eye.And the subheads job is to guide them (by scanning) to the order page without having read the entire thing.Good subheads can tell the story and get them to order.Good subheads are powerful headlines in themselves.For ex...3 Things You Must Do Today To Improve Your BusinessREVEALED! The secrets behind their success... and their fall to lose it all.When you are crafting subheads - put them in bold and centered. Even a font size bigger and a different font can help guide the eyes down the right path.The path that leads to a sale and another happy customer! more...


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Secretarial Services:The most valuable business resource in the world - for FREE?

Every single month I realize that the MOST valuable business resource I have ever found was given to me for free.18 months ago I signed up for Dan Kennedy's Gold membership and newsletter. It was free for 3 months and at that time I could make the decision if it was worth the $39 per month they wanted. Kinda high for a newsletter - but if it was good - then worth it.Yup - it was good.Incredibly good. In fact the best business newsletter I had ever read.Full of real life advertising examples, success stories, failure stories, tools to use, ideas to steal, money making tips every month... tons of them.An absolute goldmine worth of information if you are a business owner, or want to be one.It's free for 3 months - I would sign up if I were you - http://www.dankennedy.comLet me clarify though - Dan's newsletter is absolutely invaluable... so are the tips you will find here (also for free). Make sure you check out all the channels on The Blog Channel - every day you can get new tips and advice to build your business and income - for free.The Blog Channel more...


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Secretarial Services:Making Your Marketing and Advertising Pay

Some simple techniques you should be using in your marketing and advertising to stand out from the crowd.- Tie in your sales copy/newsletters/marketing campaigns, etc. with newsworthy topics, holidays, events happening, local interests, and personal interests' stories.Eg - Michael Jacksons acquittal, Brad/Angelina/Jennifer, The Runaway Bride, Fathers Day, Summertime, NASCAR fascination, Sports comebacks, etc.- If your product is not sold in stores �?" tell them!  This gives it exclusivity and makes it more likely that they will want to order if they know they cannot get it anywhere else.If your special is only available for the month of June - tell them - and tell them why (one of the most powerful things you can ever do in your marketing is to tell them why you are launching new products, why you are packaging them this way, why you are giving a discount, etc.The reason why is THE MOST powerful thing you can ever use in your marketing and advertising)- If you can, delay their payments.  �?oPay nothing now�?� is a very powerful promise that has built many multi-million dollar businesses.  Or, if some money is required �?" offer them a payment plan over the next 6 or 12 months.  People may scoff at paying $1,200 out of their pocket today but those same people may be very willing to pay $150 per month for 12 months �?" even if it means they pay a much higher rate.- Get them involved in your letter or ad through questions, surveys, and check boxes �?" whatever you can do to keep them interested.  That is why Readers' Digest does so well!  Take this sticker and place it here. That gold sticker and place it here.  When you get them involved in your copy they are much more likely to stick with it until they have ordered.- Talk about some product negatives. GASP!  No product or service in the world is perfect �?" be honest with them about that and you will be the only honest person they have comeacross in business.  Tell them the limitations, or the catch, or the one thing that you can never use it for. Incredibly powerful when you are the one to bring this up �?" they are already thinking, �?owhat�?Ts the catch�?� so tell them what it is.- Make the offer very selective �?" and make sure they understand that they are part of an exclusive offering �?" and what that means to them. Make a special offer for your existing client ONLY (and make sure they know that only they can get this deal). Make a special time (after midnight sale) for exclusive pricing not available at any other time.Show them you do appreciate them and they will appreciate you even more.- Write the ad copy so that when they order, they can easily explain it to their spouse and friends why this is such an incredible deal that they would have been an idiot to ignore it.Take one of the above and test it out over the next week. See what happens with your response - you'll be pleasantly surprised.  Guaranteed. more...


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Secretarial Services:Do you use Yellow Page advertising?

Effectively? Some of the most boring advertising can be found in the Yellow Pages!And yet, 40% of your clients buy based on the research they do in the Yellow Pages - 40%! Online yellow pages and offline print directories -... more...


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Secretarial Services:Satisfied Customers and Loyalty

We always want more, it seems.  When you started your business, customers of any kind seemed good, didn't they?  Quickly, you learned they needed to be profitable customers.  Then you went for satisfied customers.  Before long your Internet surfing and... more...


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Secretarial Services:What Customers Really Want

Years of research and millions of dollars spent studying customers for every size business keeps coming back with the same answer: Customers want to be treated differently.  If this is so easy to understand, why is it so hard to... more...


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Secretarial Services:Systematically Flood Your Leads With An Education

One of the tactics I love to employ in the landing of new clients is something I call an "Info Storm."Here's the basic idea. You meet a new prospect, go over the solutions you have for and then jointly decide on some next steps involved in them hiring you. Now, most people go away promising to send a proposal or follow-up in some manner. But, what also happens it that 3 other people slip in later that day and make a fine proposal for that same piece of business. So, what do you... more...


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Secretarial Services:Just Say No Once In A While

Every once in a while you've got to decide that a new client or a new project just isn't a good fit. You know the ones I'm talking about. You can usually feel it in your gut at that first meeting. But, hey, they said that would pay you, (usually after some attempt to get you to lower your price) so you took the work.It can be frightening to do, but nothing will be better for you or the prospective client than your ability to size up a project and decline it if it doesn't fit.You... more...


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Secretarial Services:What Motivates Someone To Refer You?

I have studied the idea of referral marketing for years and, when designing a referral marketing system, it almost always comes down to answering this simple question.What would motivate someone to refer you?The good news is - the answer is always the same. The bad news - designing a system that gets at this answer can be tricky.So, the answer. People refer businesses, services, products, people, movies, barbers - you name it - if it makes them look and... more...


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Secretarial Services:OOKO Search

OOKO Search - Smart search for shareware and freeware. The best way to search for software for all your daily needs. more...


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Secretarial Services:BestSoft 1.07.05

The Reference book of software. The Descriptions more than 8000 programs, split on category. References are given On the most popular programs to home sites. Is it Also specified status (free and shareware programs). [New | License: Shareware $10 | Requires: Win 98/ME/NT/2000/XP | Size: 1243KB] more...


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Secretarial Services:Building a Table AutoFit

AutoFit is a very helpful feature when working with tables. AutoFit adapts the table column width to the current content.

TX Text Control's set of methods and properties provides you everything you need to create such a feature. I have finished a fully functional sample which shows you how to realize AutoFit with TX Text Control .NET.

Please have a look at the sample in our source code library:

Building a Table AutoFit feature

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Secretarial Services:XXLEdit Pro 1.96

presents free #1 thing for your word processing productivity [Update | License: Shareware $49.95 | Requires: Win 95/98/ME/NT/XP | Size: 1293KB] more...


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Secretarial Services:Freelance Writing Jobs

This is a good resource for freelance work, and permanent positions for the growing writer. You can also post your resume and apply for writing fellowships.... more...


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Secretarial Services:3 Ways to Network

Networking is essential to building relationships and adding to your client list as a freelance writer. Check out how you can network for success!... more...


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Secretarial Services:Creating a Business Plan for Your Writing Career

These following guidelines will help you get the wheels rolling on your freelance career. Once this foundation is set, you will go from dreaming about success as a freelance writer to living it.... more...


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Secretarial Services:Freelance Writing Jobs

This is a good resource for freelance work, and permanent positions for the growing writer. You can also post your resume and apply for writing fellowships.... more...


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Secretarial Services:Website Help :: Freelancer Design

Author: Web WorkSubject: Freelancer DesignPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 10:00 pm (GMT 0)Topic Replies: 0I have purchased a Template that must be customized and integrated into my smarterscripts freelance script. Above and beyond the normal images required for the script i need the following images: - "How it works" Flow chart - Submit a Document - Get Certified - Improve Score - Manual Here is the template: http://www.templatemonster.com/flash-templates/7842.html You must be familiar with the smartscripts freelance scripts.Read more... more...


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Secretarial Services:Anchoring - Quick Access to Your Goal While You Work At Home

Universal Events, a company in the SouthernHemisphere, is running a series of weekend seminars designedto give us an important reminder to use the simple and effectivetechniques created through NLP: Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

Do you remember - are you using - that little technique called 'anchoring' ?

This is where you remember an instance (and that isall you need) where you were successfully doing something thatepitomises your goal. You attach to your clear picture of that successful instance yourstrong, positive emotion related to it. Now you locate that image-emotion somewhere in your body, for example, your chest, your shoulder, yourleft palm.

Having done that, whenever you then want to have that strongvisual-emotional reminder to guide and promote your goal achievement,you just tap or hit its location on your body. A slap on the shoulder,bringing a fist to your chest, or clapping your right hand against your left.

This action is your instant prompt and recreation that takes you to thatplace of success.

Work with it. Take advantage of its simplicity, and its ability to instantlyrefocus your intent and desire on to your goal. Set it up and use itrepeatedly throughout the day for optimum effect.

And if you'd like to read more on NLP or see what seminars they are offering in Australia, go to: Universal Events. Here's to your Habitual Success Raven HPublisher Seismicfish.com

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Secretarial Services:Keeping Your Email Box Organized & Ready for Business

Learning how to get the most organization from your email software is very likely the most important skill you can learn to conduct a successful online home business. more...


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Secretarial Services:Children in the Home Business Environment

Operating a home business is seldom easy and interruptions come in all shapes, sizes and forms. Between the family, friends and neighbors who call or come by, and the telemarketers who insist on ringing your number off the hook, getting through the workday can be a real challenge. more...


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Secretarial Services:Advertising Your Home Business on a Budget

When you are starting out in a new home business and no one knows who you are, one of the greatest challenges you will face is how to drum up new business. more...


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Secretarial Services:Your Home Business: Turning Pennies into Dollars

Henry Ford taught us that to simplify the manufacture of automobiles, that the best way to do so was to install the assembly line. That one change revolutionized the auto manufacturing industry permitting the industry to build cars at a cost whereas the average person could afford to buy one. more...


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Secretarial Services:How to Stay Focused on Your Home Business Goals

When you are the owner of a home business, you will find hundreds of distractions that vie for your time, energy and focus. more...


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Secretarial Services:Finding Your Home Business Niche

When some folks begin to think about a business of their own, they know in that very moment what kind they are going to start. Then, there are the rest of us... more...


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Secretarial Services:Home Based Business and Promotion

Since we’ve been on the topic of advertising for small business this week let’s carry on the theme by talking about some promotion methods that work well for start up home businesses. If you’ve just started your home based business chances are that you don’t have the money to hire an advertising agency and even if [...] more...


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Secretarial Services:Working from Home - The Freelance Life

Freelance Article Writer Wanted. If you saw this opportunity, would you have what it takes? Writing veteran Barb Clews gives us an overview of the essentials. more...


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Secretarial Services:35 Tips on Starting and Naming a New Business

Here are 35 tips on starting and naming a new business. Learn more here. more...


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Secretarial Services:How To Ask Questions That Make You Money

Here are 4 of the really important questions that can make you money on the web. more...


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Secretarial Services:Top Ten Reason To Market Your Business Online

The Internet. The great leveling medium that makes a small business nearly as accessible as TheBigCorporation.com. But many businesses throw up a site without much thought about the potential impact it can have their business. Why should you have a web site? Why should your business be online? These 10 reason will give you something to think ... more...


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Secretarial Services:Marketing Success Defined

How do you personally define success? High income? Substantial net worth? A fine home? Peer recognition? On a personal basis, there are likely almost as many definitions of success as there are people in the world. In marketing, though, there are just four measurable elements of success. Do you know which? more...


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Secretarial Services:Home Business Idea: A Little Secret About Public Domain Treasures

In this post about home business idea, you know:

A Little Secret About Public Domain Treasures



I bet this little secret is going to get YOU excited...just
like it did me. I just discovered public domain treasures and
it's a perfect business opportunity for many new internet
entrepreneurs.

Did you know there's a little known loophole in US law that
allows anyone to distribute, resell or give away expired
copyrighted content? Officially, its called public domain, and
savvy marketers "borrow" it to publish instant products.

Public domain refers to anything that is NOT protected under US
copyright law. This includes all works published before 1923 and
under certain conditions, works published up to 1978. A "work"
can be anything, a book, movies, plays, songs, photographs,
instruction manuals, posters, courses, reports, etc. You could
take these works, repackage them and sell them for a profit. By
tapping into public domain content, all the nitty gritty work
has been done for you.

There are almost an endless number of ways that you can make
money with public domain content. Let me suggest 10 different
models you can use to activate and tap the public domain
treasures.

Model 1: Resell It.
You can re-publish public domain content exactly as it is.
Whether it's a book, a movie or even music, you can take this
content and quickly turn it into a product. Just copy it as it
is and start selling it.

Model 2: Website Content
You can take the text of the public domain work which relates
to a product you are selling or an affiliate program that you
are promoting. You then create web pages and include links back
to your product page.

Model 3: Repackage
You can repackage a public domain work into a new product. You
can use the ideas and some of the content of public domain
works to create new and better products.
Eg. Walt Disney characters Snow White, the Little Mermaid were
all stories from the public domain.

Model 4: Multimedia
You can change the books in print into a CD or even a video
set. Add to the perceived value of the product by offering ways
to consume the information. What was once simply a "book" can
now be a complete home study course or training program.
Eg. The famous "Think & Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill has been
made into an audio CD which is a more convenient format.

Model 5: Reprint Rights
You could sell your version of the information product along
with marketing materials. People love reprint rights and it's a
quick and easy way to make tons of money immediately. You can
sell reprint rights only to a derivative product you have
created from the original public domain material.

Model 6: Upsell
You can use public domain works and use then as an "upsell" to
a regular version of your best selling product. You simply
present your buyer with an additional opportunity to "upgrade"
their order or add something to their order.

Model 7: Bonuses
Simply use the work as a bonus to your main offering. People
love bonuses and will buy a product just for the bonus, if its
unique and not something they've seen all over the net already.


Model 8: Viral E-books
You simply take parts of the book and turn it into a viral
e-book by allowing others to pass along or even sell this
e-book as their own. Once you trigger the "virus" its nearly
impossible to make it stop because people keep passing it on
and than these people keep passing it on etc, etc.
Eg. Rebecca fine from Seattle, WA used this exact technique to
accidentally launch her six figure business with an interesting
book, written in 1910 "The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace
D.Wattles.
You can "super-size" this strategy by creating a viral e-book
with the material and then including affiliate links that pay
you commissions anytime someone buys from your recommended
resources.

Model 9: Google AdSense
You can use the material to create an information-rich website
and then place a tiny piece of code from Google to run their
AdSense program on your site. You'll essentially partner-up
with Google and get paid a percentage for everyone that simply
clicks on the ads Google places on your site.

Model 10: Articles/ Mini Courses
You could use little contents from public domain works and
create a mini-course that people would subscribe from your
site. You just load a series of 4 to 10 articles into your
auto-responders and it delivers it on a total auto-pilot.

You can also use the material into 500-800 word articles to
distribute for free publicity and traffic to your sites.
Editors of e-zines and owners of web sites are always looking
for hot fresh content and in exchange they'll send you over
targeted traffic.
Eg. Matt Furey discovered a little unknown book on "Catch
Wrestling" and turned it into a complete manual and video
e-course of 12 lessons for his market of fitness and wrestling
buffs. He had earned over $1million dollars in sales from this
one book.

Among the topics available in the public domain treasures are:
Health & Fitness
Fun & Games
Sports & Recreation
Hobbies & Crafts
Education & Self Improvement
Food & Cooking
Animal & Pets
Home Garden & much much more.

Public domain works provides a huge opportunity to newbies in
the internet world to tap these vast treasures. Simply put, you
can use these works to instantly create e-books, manuals,
articles, reports or any other type of information products in
a snap. GOOD LUCK!


About The Author: You'll find step-by-step advice on 19 killer
internet business and internet marketing models as marketed by
TOP internet Entrepreneurs at www.e-HomeBiz.net. It is one of
a kind mini-encyclopedia with Master Resell Rights.





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Secretarial Services:Close More Sales with a Direct Approach

Close More Sales with a Direct Approach
by Chris Ellington

Pretty much anyone you ask rolls their eyes when talking about salespeople. "Windbag", "Schmoozer" and "Full of hot air" are the phrases that come to mind - well, those are the nice phrases.

Salespeople have bad reputations. Many times this reputation is well deserved, meaning that prospects have their BS-meter turned way up when you walk into the room. Yes it's true, you are instantly transformed from "small business owner" into "salesperson" and all of a sudden they don’t trust you.

You can close more sales than your competition by simply avoiding the alarms on that BS-meter. Don't flim-flam and don't dance around the issues. Be direct and straight-shooting. Life is too short to waste time trying to couch things inside hidden meanings. If it needs to be said, say it. If you shouldn't say it, shut up. Simple? Yes.

Effective? Very!

When you are calling on a prospect, don’t pretend you are his long lost brother. Start the presentation with an expectation of forming a business relationship. Make it clear that this business relationship benefits his company, his team and his own position.

Tell him exactly which of his problems you are there to solve. Let him know that the problems have solutions, and that you can deliver those solutions. But it isn’t just about you delivering solutions. You must deliver solutions within his particular constraints. He has price constraints, time constraints and political constraints. Make sure you address each of his needs and before you walk out of the room tell him whether or not you can deliver those solutions within his particular constraints.

You'll find that an opening like this shortens your sales cycles. You will be recognized as a "breath of fresh air". Prospects don't like BS. Give it to them straight.


Chris Ellington gives effective and easy to implement marketing strategies to small business owners and home business entrepreneurs. His Simplified Selling System has been a favorite of salespeople around the world. Get your free marketing strategies at www.simplifiedselling.com.

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Secretarial Services:How to Make Cold Calling Work for Your Business

An Article by Kevin M. Stirtz more...


Home Based Business Resources

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Secretarial Services:Job Interview Answers

An Article by Sanjib Ahmad more...


Home Based Business Resources
Originally Posted on 7/1/2005 4:38:38 PM
Content source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=45293

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Secretarial Services:Business Plans

An Article by Sanjib Ahmad more...


Home Based Business Resources
Originally Posted on 7/1/2005 2:11:35 PM
Content source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=45291

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Secretarial Services:The NEW online equivalent of an effective newspaper advertisement is FREE

Ask anybody who has been in business for a long enough and they will tell you how newspaper advertisements have for decades helped to build countless small businesses. more...


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Secretarial Services:How To Create A Brochure And Cover Letter Your Prospects Will Respond To...NOW!!!

Millions of dollars are spent annually on creating and sending brochures and cover letters. Most of these dollars are wasted, because these marketing materials don't do what they're supposed to do: get a prospect to act, either by requesting further information, picking up the phone and making an appointment, or actually buying something.

These are the sole purposes of marketing documents. If the brochure and cover letter you create don't do one of these three things, they have failed. Completely.

Which brings us to the first rule of this game: the brochure and cover letter you produce must have a purpose. And since the only real purpose of any marketing document is motivating immediate prospect action, the purpose of what you create can only be one of the three things above.

Your brochure and cover letter exist either to:
. get the prospect to request more information;
. call up and arrange an appointment, or
. buy something, by either filling in an order coupon, or walking into your establishment.

Prominently post the purpose you have selected before you write your brochure and cover letter. Everything you put into this brochure, this cover letter must work towards achieving this single objective. Nothing else must be allowed in.

The truth is, when most marketers create their brochures and cover letter they get off the track. They forget what they're doing... and why. Don't be one of them. There's a very easy trick to seeing if your brochure and cover letter are correct: after you write each sentence, ask yourself if it's helping achieve your overriding objective. If it isn't, it's wrong. And that's a fact.

Focus On The Prospect, Not Yourself

Everybody supposedly knows that all marketing documents ought to be about your prospect, not about you. Sadly, the vast majority of brochures and cover letters fail to achieve this objective. Take a brochure I received in today's mail: on the mailing panel it simply says, "Instrument Calibration and Repair. Calibration: Standardizing a measuring instrument." That's it.

Now, I ask you: are these words about the sender, or about the recipient? It's obvious, isn't it! Lines that are about the marketer rightly elicit this response: "So what!" "Instrument Calibration and Repair". So what! What does this have to do with me, your prospect?

Selling doesn't have to be hard. Simplified SellingLines that are about the prospect, the most important person in every brochure and cover letter, get this response: "Aha!"

The prospect is interested in knowing one thing and one thing only about you: "What can you do for me?" And when that question is answered, he's interested in these questions: "When can you do it?" And "How much will it cost me"?

When you're writing a brochure, do this simple test. Read each sentence and ask yourself if it's about you or your prospect. If it's about you the sentence will feel incomplete, because it won't have the persuasive information the prospect wants. No wonder! Your prospect is saying, "So what?" to it.

But if the sentence is focused on your prospect, offers him honest, believable benefits, and motivates him to take immediate action, it's finished. Doing Your Homework

The big reason most people's brochures and cover letters fail is because their creators don't do any homework before writing them. Most people hate writing; their objective is to get it out of the way as quickly as possible, right or wrong. But not your savvy marketer! He may hate writing as much as the next person, but he never loses sight of his objective: that each marketing piece will either make him a profit, or be a dead loss. And that if he's to achieve the former, he needs to get other people, his prospects, to act... NOW!

Homework helps achieve his objective. What You Have To Know Before You Write The first thing you've got to know before you can successfully create any brochure or cover letter is who you're talking to.

The best marketing documents, even if millions are sent out, are conversations between two people... you and just one prospect. You have to know who this prospect is and have to understand what he wants, when he wants it, why he might not take action to acquire it, and how much he can afford to pay for it. All these points must be dealt with in your marketing materials.

Without a doubt, one of the greatest single reasons why marketing communications fail to get people to take action is because those people don't feel that what they're being asked to consider has anything to do with them... it doesn't speak to them about what's important to them and, therefore, doesn't motivate them to take immediate action. In marketing, this is disastrous.

Hint: don't create brochures and cover letters for a mass. Create them for a single person, a person who represents your market. Make yourself focus on this single individual, perhaps someone you know; certainly someone you know about. This will help you create just the right tone and style. In writing to this individual, consider what he wishes to achieve, when, what specific benefits (in priority order) will motivate him to act, and what he has to do to get these benefits... NOW!

Fashion The Components Of Your Brochure And Cover Letter Creating a brochure and cover letter is rather like making a quilt. You need to fashion each individual square before you knit the whole together.

Start with the Anxiety Component.

Using Anxiety Information People act when action is less threatening and more desirable than non-action. Most of us are pretty lethargic; even when we have problems, our inclination is simply to hope they go away without us having to exert ourselves. This is one of the major problems each marketer must overcome.

Identifying and utilizing prospect anxiety helps us achieve this objective. What is happening to our prospects? What are they likely to lose if they don't take immediate action? How believable can we make this loss? Who is willing to testify that these things will happen? This is the kind of information you need to use in your Anxiety Component.

Remember: fear of loss is always a greater motivater than hope for gain. Your prospects know what they have now... and even if it isn't what they want, they are still afraid of losing it.

Be specific! Don't just vaguely intimate to your prospects that they will lose something by failing to act. Be specific. Tell them how much they'll lose, when they'll lose it, why they'll lose it. Use numbers... and the names of real authorities. In short, make the anxiety you use authoritative. Turn The Features Of What You Produce Into Benefits

If you want your brochures and cover letters to get fast prospect response, you've got to turn the features of what you produce into buyer benefits. Features are things that pertain to what you're selling... color, size, weight, payment terms, delivery information, etc.

But these things are only important insofar as they can be transformed into benefits that motivate immediate prospect response. In other words, the fact that your widget comes in blue is no necessary advantage; it's merely a feature whose significance you must establish and sell to the prospects.

Here's how to handle this problem: list all the facts (features) about what you're selling. Now transform them into buyer benefits by starting a sentence about each one beginning, "You get..." A feature is merely a feature until you turn it into a client-centered benefit using a "you get" sentence. When you're finished with this activity you should have dozens of "you get" sentences.

Now the trick is to prioritize them... which are the most important to your prospects and which most likely to motivate them to take immediate action. Remember: all benefits are not equal. Some are more important than others. And these are the ones you should lead with and emphasize in your brochure and cover letter.

Find And Use TestimonialsYour prospect is a skeptical creature. Take my word for it. He's been burned in the past... and knows his judgment is questionable. Because of this, his natural inclination is to do nothing... the very thing every marketer fears and is constantly working against. That's where testimonials come in.

Recognize that your prospects are skeptical and need to be convinced to act NOW! Believable -- specific -- benefits achieved by people just like them will help motivate them. The key words here are: "believable," "specific", and "people just like them."

Don't make your testimonials vague. Make them specific. Don't say more widgets were produced in an hour... say how many more... and how much money the satisfied customer made as a result. In short, quantify your testimonials... and give them teeth by making them specific and detailed. This is the way to overcome prospect inertia, because with these kinds of testimonials here's what you're saying: do you want an extra widget each hour (with corresponding profit)? Of course you do! And that's why you need our product. Take action now to get it... or keep losing an extra widget each hour of every day.

Turn Your Bio Into A Marketing Hook Most brochures are packed with biographical data about the sender, data that does nothing more than make the prospect scream, "Who cares?" Remember, what I said: EACH line of your brochure and cover letter either works to compel an immediate prospect response, or it shouldn't be there! Thus, every line of your bio must be turned into a reason for the prospect to act. Thus, don't be like this marketer whose brochure I'm looking at: "Mary Pretzer is a graphic design consultant with extensive experience in the use of desktop publishing software and hardware." So what!!!

What benefit does the prospect get from this... does her experience mean she can show you how to produce books faster and cheaper? How much faster? How much cheaper? Make the benefits believable and specific!

Keep in mind that biographical details are not there for your greater glorification (which most brochure creators seem to believe), but to motivate a prospect to take immediate action. Thus even the biographical features of your life must be transformed into benefits the prospect wishes to achieve and which he understands he can get only with your help. Make An Offer

Most brochures and cover letters fail because they leave it up to the prospect to decide when to respond. They say, essentially, "Respond whenever you want to. It doesn't matter to us." But we know in reality that it does matter to the marketer when the prospect responds. The marketer has invested time, treasure, trouble, and talent creating his brochure and cover letter... and the only justification for this is getting more treasure back as fast as possible. That's where the offer comes in.

The offer provides the prospect with the justification he needs for immediate action. It says, "It's not only okay to act NOW, but acting NOW is the only sensible thing to do." As a result, he does act. Offers come in many shapes and sizes... two for the price of one, getting something free (that costs others money), getting more for your money, you name it.

But a few things are common to all: they must offer perceived benefits to the prospect and they must be limited in some way, either in time, quantity, or otherwise. Thus, you should never offer a prospect something like a free audio cassette. That's a feature. And you know people act to achieve BENEFITS.

Thus, "Learn the 6 secrets of producing more widgets each hour... and pay nothing. This $14 audio cassette is yours absolutely free when you get (name of product)... but only if you act within the next thirty days! After that, you have to figure out these secrets yourself!" See the difference? Don't offer people a feature... offer them the benefit that that feature delivers.

Don't offer them anything free... offer them something that's free to them, but costs everybody else.

And never leave your offer open-ended. The whole purpose of an offer is to induce immediate action. And something open-ended torpedoes that objective.

Now Bring It All Together

At this point, it's a good idea to remind yourself what you really want to achieve with your brochure and cover letter. Whatever you've selected... getting your prospect to request more information, make an immediate phone call or buy something... involves action. And it is this action you must work to stimulate. Remember, this stimulation begins where the eye of your prospect first alights. Thus, don't build up to what you want the prospect to do... hit him with it right away... and pile on the reasons why it is to his benefit to do what you want him to do.

Too many brochures and cover letters fail because it takes the marketer too long to get to the point. Your point -- whatever your objective -- isn't something you build up to; it's something you begin with... and which everything in your marketing communication reinforces. Because this communication only has one point... the one you selected at the very beginning.

Now ask yourself: which of the necessary components of effective marketing communications will best help me realize my objective? Starting with a testimonial... prospect anxiety... an offer... a client-centered benefit? The answer depends on your market. But one thing is certain: whatever you select should be a deliberate decision solely determined by your desire to motivate the greatest number of your prospects fastest.

Dr. Jeffrey Lant Move into your professionally designed website within 24 hours http://www.trafficcenter.com/properties FREE website for life! FREE email for life! http://www.freeservicesnow.com more...


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Secretarial Services:A Lesson in Entrepreneurship and other items you may have missed.

Business to Business Marketing Strategies for Business OwnersYou'll find a running theme..A Lesson In Entrepreneurship From J. Paul GettyLearn from the master himself. If you want to grow your business, who is a better role model?Tips to Grow Your Business Some great business tips that could make you a bundle.Energy Saving Strategies for Your OfficeWe are all watching the bottom line. These strategies could save you a bundle. more...


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Secretarial Services:The Small-business Owner's Secret Success Weapon - Part One

How can you do a better job of reaching your full potential as a business owner? How can you achieve more, do it faster, and make fewer mistakes? We're all looking for that edge, that competitive advantage that will equip you to take a leadership position in your chosen niche. As a [...] more...


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Secretarial Services:Consumer Generated Media: What Small Business Owners Need to Learn From Big Corporations

Consumer generated media is fast becoming the most important factor in marketing effectiveness for many industries. And for those industries where it's not yet a major determinant of marketing success, it's just a matter of time.Consumer generated media (CGM) is the combination of comments, reviews, critiques, and complaints wielded by consumers and devoured by prospective [...] more...


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Secretarial Services:What is carving a niche and how does it add value to yoru home business?

An Article by Purva Mewar more...


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Secretarial Services:work at home medical transcription

Please use one of the above work at home medical transcription hyperlinks, or take a look at the website that might have popped up when you entered my, not yet so fantastic site, you'll see what I mean. These work at home medical transcription sites are so useful that they put my little effort to shame. Seeing I'm not exactly flowing with content yet, you may as well leave my little website now to visit one of the work at home medical transcription sites I've linked to. But before you do go I'd just like to say that I'm putting lots of work and effort into this work at home medical transcription place of mine and I'd be pleased if you'd remember it and come back again one day soon. So please bookmark this site and return soon. more...


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Secretarial Services:data entry job work at home

If you are really interested in the highest standard data entry job work at home then be sure you click the link above. We have researched the data entry job work at home subject vigorously and guarantee that these people have the best. The data entry job work at home links on the left hand side of the page will take you directly to the specific item you need so feel free to look around. We have made it easy for you and of course this company stands behind their data entry job work at home with 100% satisfaction guarantees. more...


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Secretarial Services:work at home typist

How can we be sure they're the best work at home typist websites available on the net today? Because we've spent months of time putting our sweet and blood into researching the subject. We've visited every site about work at home typist that we could find, and have studied them to sort the good from the bad. Look, we're good at getting ranked well in search engines. work at home typist may be our big interest, but we'll be the first to admit that out site doesn't come anywhere to the standards of the websites we're linking to. So we therefor suggest you follow one of the links. You won't be disappointed. Thanks for taking the time to visit our webpage, and please come back again one day. Next time you visit you may well find that we're the best work at home typist place available on the Internet. more...


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Secretarial Services:clerical work at home

We make clerical work at home searching and shopping much simpler. We've used our clerical work at home network to get you to be best sites fast and efficiently. As competition in the clerical work at home world wide marketplace drives the need for ever greater efficiency, the Internet will surely become a better place to do business. The win-win situation between clerical work at home operators and consumers is enormous. Enjoy your clerical work at home adventure by indulging in our discoveries. Step one is to click on the links provided in this page. more...


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Secretarial Services:work at home clerical

work at home clerical is available from a number of places on the internet, but how can you be sure that when you purchase work at home clerical you are shopping in safely and securely and that you will actually receive your purchase? This is where we can help you. We've looked through all the possible places on the internet where you can buy work at home clerical and have found the best. A place where you can get work at home clerical at a great value price and be guaranteed that you will get what you've paid for. The following link will take you to the extreme best work at home clerical supplier we have found. So don't waste another moment with searching, click on the link and visit them now. more...


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Secretarial Services:EBay Made Easy (MSNBC)

Ready to start an eBay business? Here are five simple steps to help you get you on your way. more...


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Secretarial Services:Business Card Referral Strategy

Today, I went for cheap lunch: Little Ceasar's $5.30 (with tax) for a large pizza!While paying the five bucks and change, I noticed a very cool marketing trick (that anyone can use and profit from, but very few actually do.)

At the checkout counter were a bunch of white business cards with some words in blue on it. The business cards had "Little Ceasar's" written on it in bold. But they weren't actually Little Ceasar's business cards!Instead, the cards were for "Marvelanes" - a bowling lanes outlet!The card simply read:

Bowl Free Compliments of LITTLE CEASAR'S This card good for one FREE game of bowling anytime lanesare available. One free game per person per day. Expires September 29 2005 MARVELANES (Address of Marvelanes)

The back of the business card asked for the person's name address telephone number and birthdate. And stated "Above Must be Completed for Redemption"Thats it.

Lets analyze the business card in a bit more detail: Marvelanes gave a free offer to attract a new client base The business card specified that the free offer was conditional and could only be taken advantage of while lanes are available (Marvelanes don't lose any business by giving the free offer)

The business card had a deadline - making people take action and avoid procrastination

Marvelanes asked for peoples names and addresses. Thus, they'll build a big mailing list because of their free offer. And they can generate business anytime in the future by just sending a reminder to the mailing list and probably giving them a discount And Marvelanes then persuaded Little Ceasar's to place these business cards next to the checkout counter.

Little Ceasar's earn some goodwill by giving a goodie to their clients. And Marvelanes wins some new clients - all for the cost of printing a few simple business cards! What a win-win referral strategy!

Action Summary: Create business cards that offer free goodies or free samples of your product. Ask other complimentary businesses to give away those business cards to their clients as a "Thank You Reward" Make sure you collect the names and addresses of these new clients who take you on the free goodie offer. And then convert them into loyal clients by following up with them. more...


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Secretarial Services:brochure printing straightforward

If you where searching for brochure printing straightforward in the real world, what would you do? I guess in reality you could look through books and magazines , but browsing the net is much easier.And it's a lot faster too isn't it? Especially when you come across brochure printing straightforward websites like ours, which cover the exact topic you're looking for. Being able to find exactly what you're looking for - brochure printing straightforward - is the real beauty of the Internet. Especially when it comes to purchasing brochure printing straightforward products. Buying online is very easy as all you have to do is click one of our brochure printing straightforward links and you'll be taken to the best brochure printing straightforward site on the web. more...


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Secretarial Services:Customer Service Gold Standards

I came upon a tid-bit of information... Ritz-Carlton chain of hotels has a rule for their employees: "Escort guests rather than pointing out directions to another area of the Hotel."Wow. That is a simple idea. And so very revolutionary - hardly any hotel does that. I began wondering if Ritz-Carlton, which is so famous for its customer service, has any more such simple rules.And found not one, but 19 other rules. Some more tid-bits include: Whoever receives a complaint will own it. Each employee is empowered. For example, when a guest has a problem or needs something special you should break away from your regular duties, address and resolve the issue. "Smile - we are on stage." Always maintain positive eye contact. Use Ritz-Carlton telephone etiquette. Answer within three rings and with a "smile." You'll enjoy reading all the 20 Golden Standard rules of Ritz-Carlton more...


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Secretarial Services:card printing services

We would never claim to be world's best in card printing services but our passion and interest in this area has encouraged us to source out the best locations for card printing services purchases and products. We have set a number of important criteria for evaluating card printing services websites. Among these are (1) secure shopping areas for card printing services purchases; (2) customer support areas being well documented and (3) testimonials from happy clients. Just click on the link below and you will see how these apply. more...


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Secretarial Services:Pushing Through Our Comfort Zone

Pushing Through Our Comfort Zone

Personal Growth involves expanding into new areas in our life, making changes, and making progress towards our dreams and goals. In order to do this we have move out of our comfort zone. It is normal to experience fear and insecurity. We grow and see success as we face the fear and do it anyway.

Our greatest growth in life comes from pushing through our present comfort zone. This process starts at birth. A baby feels safe, warm and secure in its mothers womb. However to stay there much longer than the gestation period would mean certain death for both the mother and child. Life began for all of us as we left the comfort and security of the womb and faced the strange and unfamiliar world outside. Our first breath is often a painful experience, a cry of protest at temporary discomfort. Yet without this experience, our life would be fleetingly short.

Each milestone of growth and accomplishment for a young child involves leaving an existing comfort zone. The first crawl, the first step, many new, first experiences all push from the familiar into the unknown.For the child the process of pushing through their area of comfort leads to increasing independence and the formation of their unique personality and character..

This foundational principle continues into adult life. In order to enrich our life, it is necessary to step out of our present comfort zone. Personal growth occurs when a person moves out of their area of comfort and into the unknown and challenge of a fresh experience.There is a stage of risk and discomfort before any significant growth in our life.For each of there comes a point where we hold back and resist. It becomes easier to remain static and comfortable than to keep moving forward.

What holds us back?

Whenever we consider taking on a new project, or venture, or want to put ourselves out there, we feel fear. Fear is natural, and is to be expected.It is our body's way of letting us know we are moving out of our comfort zone. Fear can alert us to possible threats and dangers. However unlike our cave men predecessors, many of the threats today are not life threatening.Fear can warn you and enable you to be more aware and cautious, but need not stop you progressing. If you want to move forward on the journey towards where you want to be, you will have to confront your fears. Unfortunately many people allow fear to stop them, and don't achieve their goals and aspirations.

Fear does not feel comfortable, and many people want to avoid it at all costs. Everyone experiences fear. People who want to be successful feel the fear and do it anyway! Fear is part of the package. Yes, there is always a risk of failure, but that needs to balanced with the old adage "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained".A child's risk of falling when taking those first faltering steps is high. Yet, what a transformation to a child's life once they have mastered the skill of walking! Limitless possibilities are opened up in the child's life. The falls and tumbles are soon forgotten overshadowed by the new adventures and experiences.

Pushing through to leave your comfort zone is hard work. Nature demonstrates that graphically for us. The chick pecking it's way out of the shell, the butterfly struggling from it's cocoon, illustrate how that struggle is necessary in order to bring life, growth and success.

The good news is that once we have faced our fears and done it anyway, we have moved forward to a new place. Every time we push through and live out of our comfort zone we will never be the same.Growth happens!

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. US Supreme Court Justice, once said

Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."

I believe this is true of not only our mind, but also of who we are as unique people.Life moves into a new dimension through each experience we go through in life.

However there is also the possibility that once we have pushed through our comfort zone into a new place of growth, we rest too long there, and create a different comfort zone!

Lets keep pushing through and moving forward towards growing our uniqueness and living our life fully.

Barbara White of Beyond Better Development, speaks and writes with a passion to inspire and empower people in their journey of personal growth towards the excellence in life that they aspire to. This article is extracted from her newsletter, Growing Beyond Better. If you would like to receive this free newsletter regularly, you can subscribe at her website www.livingbeyondbetter.com

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Secretarial Services:Affirm Your Intentions - Achieve Your Goals

Affirmations are emotionally driven statements of intention and faith that guide thought and action. Affirmation comes from the Latin firmus, meaning strong. Affirmations recognize and assert the exis... more...


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Secretarial Services:How to Create Value for Your Product or Service

How to Create Value for Your Product or ServiceGive your prospective customers so many reasons to purchase from you, they couldn't possibly think of going elsewhere.

Give your prospective customers so many reasons to purchase from you, they couldn't possibly think of going elsewhere.

You may think your lack of business is competition but, In reality, it's you. You have not created enough value.

I don't usually concern myself with competing businesses. That focuses attention on the wrong target. Your business focus should be on what you do for your customers. You aim at where you want to hit – not where you don't.

I'm not saying to be unaware of what others are doing because you can always learn what they are doing right or wrong.

What I am saying is; don't worry about them. Make the difference between who you are and who they are huge. Everyone does something a little bit different. Make your difference a big one. Create a category of one - so there is no competition.

Competing as another “me too" is where many people don't get it.

When you begin thinking in a different way, you begin to position yourself, your service or your company as a category of one.The hardest part is - you have to THINK different. That's the larger, caps, bold, italic and underlined kind of thinking.

If I were to pass “My wisdom of the ages" on to my dearest, most deserving protégé, I would whisper in their ear ……"People want more value".

Many business people don't fully understand “Value".Some say; "It really, all comes down to price - Right?"Nope.

Why do you think many people want buy a Lexus over a Focus and a Rolex over a Timex?It's not about price. It's all about VALUE.

Whether you're buying a multi-million dollar home or, a 50 cent candy bar – you want more Value. You want your money's worth - and maybe a little more.

When you feel it was a little better than a good trade – “value traded for value received" – you are well satisfied.

Even if two companies competed head to head with the exact pricing, there are a number of ways the scales can be tipped in their favor?

One only has to offer more perceived value. They can be subtle or overt differences. It can be as simple as one salesperson or website being liked or trusted more than another or, it could have been different payment terms or, a guarantee one side made that the other didn't think of writing down.

And, as we see often on the web, it could be a free giveaway, a bonus or, an E-book. Many of us have seen and tried “Free Samples" in the local Costco store.

Or, received mouthwash, creams, panty hose, toothpaste or, soap in our mailboxes. (I gave the pantyhose to my wife and kept the rest.) Hey, baker's have been doing it for millennia.

In marketing it's called “Sampling" and it's a big part of some corporate budgets.

The very first thing a customer wants to know before they will invest any of their time paying attention to what you have to sell is: Is this for me? and What will I get?

Samples are great for giving a taste of what's to come.At the same time you must, somehow, attract the attention of who you are selling to.

An efficient way of doing that is to not only identify them but let them know, very quickly, what they will get at the same time. You can do this by giving a “verbal free sample" or, value offer.

Here are a few examples of different markets and value offers:Golfers will easily shave 4 to 5 strokes off their game with this secret technique…(We've called out to the golfers in the audience and let them know what they could get – something we know they all want.

They are drawn in by their curiosity in your offer of a “secret technique" – which, they would all want to know.)

Wine Lovers! Fill your collection with world class wines at wholesale prices.(Again, here we've identified the audience and what many of them desire – VALUE that's meaningful)

Selling a home? Here are 5 inexpensive tips to increase your “curb appeal".(Identify the audience and what they get. “Curb Appeal" to a home-seller means a quicker sale and more $$)Here is the secret every marketing professional knows.

Every person lives to increase their life. More or better food, clothing, shelter and health. They want to increase their value, their fortunes, their attractiveness, their ability to give more and have greater abundance and fulfillment in their life. That's it!

All you need to understand, is whatyour product or service does for someone and let them know in as many ways as you can.

Value and Value-AddedWhen defining what, exactly your customer gets, you need to be able to describe it in terms of value because the only reason a person parts with their money is for the perceived returned value.

It becomes exceedingly more difficult in a competitive world to keep your product or service from becoming a commodity where price is the only consideration. That is, unless you understand Value and “Value-Added".

The basic values are Price, Quality and Delivery. Consequently, as soon as someone else adds more value to their offer, the scales start tipping in their favor.

The secret is to identify and understand all of the different aspects of value your customer gets.

Value-added is what Chef Emeril would call BAM!To help explain, here's an example of 2 different company messages about quality.

Company A:“Our promise of unparalleled quality is demonstrated by our continuous employee training to standards unheard of in our market – and, at no additional expense to our customer. All of our employees go through sixteen hours of training and testing before being allowed to interact with customers, along with ongoing weekly meetings and critiques, thereby, assuring our customers service is never compromised.

Company B: "Quality is Job One"If you were the customer and read the Company A versus Company B, which would be more attractive? The first company statement is also an example of “value-added".

This company not only stated their own standards were above the market standards – and at no additional cost! But, defined exactly what that meant, as well as, adding “before being allowed to interact with customers – and further topped that with “along with ongoing weekly meetings and critiques – assuring our customers service is never compromised."Wow! They really do mean it. Does all that come with a cherry on top???

And the all the other company has to say is“Quality is Job One"…………?? Blah, Blah, Blah.

If these two company's were competing closely on price, who would you give your business to? In your mind is there any other choice? Wouldn't you even go a little out of your way to do business with a Company A kind of company?That's a category of ONE. The idea is to give, give, give! And then, continually find ways to give some more! Customers Want More Value!

Talk about the things your customers GET - Not what you have to sell. When the value is obvious, it's so much easier to do business and get loyal customers and referrals.

The bottom line:When you come right down to it, think of what the value of a customer is? What is the “lifetime" value of your customers? Meaning; what would they spend over the years with you if you kept them happy? What would you be willing to pay to get one of these customers? What would you pay to keep one? Even if you add a little expense over what the competition is offering, it is usually well worth it. You always get more by giving more.-

After 30 years as a designer and creative director Dennis Kunkler believes you cannot market intelligently without, first, answering three simple questions. Learn the secrets in the E-Book at www.BrandLikeAPro.com.Download it free now - after some brief editing, it will be $19.95.Contact: dennis@positionedtosell.com or at 413-786-9911

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Secretarial Services:Follow Up Letter for Past Customers - Why and How to Write It

Follow Up Letter for Past Customers - Why and How to Write It

Following up with your past customers is a proven way to make a lot of extra sales. Learn how to write money-making follow up messages...

Following up with your past customers is a proven way to make a lot of extra sales. You can simply write a promotional offer about one of your other products in the form of a follow up letter, and then send it to your customers email list.

Since your customers have already done business with you and like and trust you, they are more likely to buy something from you again. That's why selling to your previous customers is much easier and more cost effective than gaining new customers.

Email marketing is the easiest, fastest, and most affordable way to follow up with your customers. The cost of sending email letters is zero. You can also automate 95% of your email marketing campaign and follow up system to save a lot of time.

Writing a follow up email letter is not rocket science. Simply explain some of the most important benefits of your product and then provide your customers with a link to your online sales letter to learn more.

All of us receive some promotional emails every now and then. Some of them are very powerful, while others are poorly written and boring.

If you save effective email messages that you receive on your computer, soon you'll have a collection of sample killer follow up messages to learn from. Read them carefully to discover their secrets to success, and then use that formula for your own follow up messages.

To your success!

Ladan Lashkari is a respected Internet marketing expert, and the owner of http://www.FreeNewsletterIdeas.com/ where you'll find creative email marketing ideas and helpful resources to start your own highly profitable email marketing campaign.

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Secretarial Services:How to Get Creative Newsletter Design Ideas

How to Get Creative Newsletter Design Ideas

If you want to have a successful newsletter, you need to have a professional newsletter layout. The more newsletter layout ideas you get, the better layout you can design. Here are some tips on how to find great newsletter design ideas...


#1. Free Newsletter Templates

You can find many free newsletter templates to download for free on the Internet. Simply search for the word "newsletter templates" in search engine and you will find many websites. You can get inspired by their layout and design for your own newsletter.

Here's a resource to download professional, free newsletter templates.

#2. Other People's Newsletter Layouts

Thousands of people have already spent a lot of time to create professional templates for their newsletter. So you have thousands of newsletter layout ideas to learn from.

You can get inspired by the designs of your favorite newsletters or find more newsletters in ezine directories. Don't copy their designs though - but learn from them.

#3. Offline Magazines

You can get great design ideas from some offline magazines. Just look for those kinds of designs that are suitable for online publications too.

Wish you the best of luck!


Ladan Lashkari is a respected Internet marketing expert, and the owner of http://www.FreeNewsletterIdeas.com where you'll find creative email marketing ideas and helpful resources to start your own highly profitable email marketing campaign.

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Secretarial Services:When You Need Marketing Help - Do you call a Doctor or a Fireman?

Did you hear the funny joke about the Widget Company who called in a Marketing Consultant and said "We need a brochure"? more...


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Secretarial Services:Marketing: Can I Trust You?

Marketing: Can I Trust You?

We live in an unprecedented era of communication. Because of this, your prospects are literally bombarded from all directions with marketing messages. They’ve heard so many hyped claims, that they automatically distrust them all.

How can you avoid this in your marketing messages? How can you convince them that what you promise is what you will actually deliver?

First of all, tell the truth. Don’t promise that your widget will do something it won’t. You may get sales in the short term, but long term, nothing you say will be believable ever again.

Now that we’ve got the obvious out of the way, here’s what else you can do to make your ads and commercials believable: Prove every claim that you make as you make it.

Why will your widget give your prospect more time with her family? Because it slices exactly 53% faster than the competition. How do I know your weight loss product works? Because it was discovered by a doctor in Nevada. What makes me think your real estate firm will sell my house? Because your average home sells within 18 days.

Notice the precision of the proof: 53%, not 50 or even 55. A Nevada doctor as opposed to just any physician. An 18 day average, not 15 or 20. Believe it or not, a specific number will actually pull better than a rounded one even if the rounded one seems more favorable. Why? Because the rounded one smells like what it is: hype. Details are believable. Vagueness isn’t.

Put the proof with your promise, and give it some detail. It will sell better than all the hype you can conceive.

Lisa Packer, author of "How To Dramatically Increase Your Business... Without A Blockbuster Budget" and "7 Ways To Get A Pay Raise From Your Web Site" is an independent Copywriter and Marketing Consultant. Find out how to get these two reports, plus more helpful articles like the one you just read at www.dramatic-copy.com. Dramatic Copy: The Right Words Make A Dramatic Difference.

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Secretarial Services:Developing A Focused Marketing Strategy

You want all of your marketing messages to have a single focus, so they pull together instead of competing with each other. Great! So how do you come up with one? more...


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Secretarial Services:Get Personal: Letters vs. Direct Mail

One of the reasons direct mail works is the personal aspect. It's ostensibly a letter from you to your prospect. Because of this, the more personal you make it, the better your response will be. more...


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Secretarial Services:Maximizing Your Yellow Page Investment

Maximizing Your Yellow Page Investment

Yellow Page users are the hottest of all prospects – someone who has made the decision to buy, and now is looking for a place to do it. Does your ad convince them that your business is that place?


It doesn’t have to be the biggest, although that can certainly help. And if you do it right, it won’t even matter if your business is listed first. What matters is that your ad is the most persuasive.

“But, Lisa!” you’re saying in your most shocked whisper, “Everybody knows that the first listing in a category gets the most response! That’s why so many business names start with ‘A.’”

Well, yeah, if I’m faced with a list of indistinguishable company names, I’ll just go with the first one I see. And 99% of all Yellow Page ads seem to have the company name as their headline.

But your business may be better than the one that starts with “A.” So why don’t you tell me that? Move your company name to the bottom, beside your phone number, and greet me with a bold headline telling me just what’s so great about you. Invest in a few lines of copy (get rid of the photo of your store if you have to – I don’t really care about it, anyway) that prove you can deliver on some great promises.

Did you know that making those changes can increase your response by 600%? Yes, really. That beats having an “A” name any day!

Lisa Packer, author of "How To Dramatically Increase Your Business... Without A Blockbuster Budget" and "7 Ways To Get A Pay Raise From Your Web Site" is an independent Copywriter and Marketing Consultant. Find out how to get these two reports, plus more helpful articles like the one you just read at www.dramatic-copy.com. Dramatic Copy: The Right Words Make A Dramatic Difference.

Secretarial Services:How To Write Effective Safelists Headlines

How To Write Effective Safelists Headlines

Your headline is the gateway to your advertisement. it will either entice your reader to continue reading, or turn them of before they've read a single word about your product. A good headline translates into leads.

Headlines are the first thing the eye falls on. If it loses your reader's attention, you automatically lose a potential lead. This translates into a single fact: your headline is what sells your product.