I want to apologize for the blog not being updated in so long (and yet I'm strangely pleased that so many people noticed - that's always a positive motivator for continuing on).  For those of you who don't know, I've been hard at work penning and revising (and revising, and revising, and ...) my debut fiction novel which is set to be released on July 7th.  Yeah!  :)

Ahem ... so my focus over the next few months will be to get this website updated, and pay attention to my poor neglected blog!

So stay tuned ...

Paige

I'm always scoping the news for stories about the Virtual Assistant industry or related articles.  I found one today in the Washington Post.  You can read the full story here but basically the story talks about how Kim Murray researched the Virtual Assistant (VA) field and then finally opened up her own VA company. 

There's quite a bit in the article I agree with (the researching before jumping in, the money you will likely make your first year, and so on) but there are a few things I'm not entirely sure I do agree with.  While I think it's a great idea to research ahead of time, I don't think it's necessary to spend almost $3,000 and 20 weeks attending a VA training program.   I appreciate the fact that there are companies out there like Assist U that do genuinely care about the VA industry and can offer some definite insight into the industry.  However, I still have to voice my opinion that there are many resources out there that are free. 

For example, I had a networking friend of mine call me a few weeks ago.  She also has a VA company and she was about to sign up for a course to train her on shopping cart software.  Cost for the class was about $300.  After I finally quit hyperventilating I sent her to the website for 1ShoppingCart and showed her how the company offered video tutorials walking you through most of the cart functions.  I also pointed out that you didn't have to be a member, didn't have to enter any information about yourself at all, and that the videos were FREE.  She was flabbergasted because she had no idea that much information was out there - at no charge. 

Now granted I haven't taken the course for the shopping cart software so I can't tell you whether it's worth the money or not.  A lot of that depends on how you best learn.  If you are a go-getter and not afraid to do a little research you can save yourself both time and money. 

I'll leave with you a word of caution - before you shell out hundreds of thousands of dollars for training, do your research.  Make sure that knowledge is not readily available over the internet for free.  Remember that the companies hosting this type of paid training are just that: for-profit companies.  They are there to make money.  Make sure it's money you truly need to spend before you commit your hard-earned cash to any of these paid programs.

Until next time . . .
Write On!

Paige Jackson
Create 2 Sell
http://www.create2sell.com

The word “freelance” was first coined by Sir Walter Scott, a renowned Scottish historical novelist and poet, in 1819 when he wrote his novel Ivanhoe, to refer to a medieval mercenary warrior. The term has then shifted into more figurative meanings. In the 1860s, freelance became a figurative noun, and in 1903, it was officially recognized as a verb by etymologists like the Oxford English Dictionary.

Today, the word “freelance” has changed into different forms: as a noun, freelance or freelancer; as a verb, a photographer who freelances; and as an adverb, he works freelance.

Working freelance has become a career and lifestyle choice. It has given more people a variety of benefits and these people feel that there is no better option than the ones they have due to the flexibility of work.

More people today choose to leave the security of their day jobs and engage in freelance work due mainly to the following factors:

* Variety of jobs. More people are drawn to go freelance for this reason alone. Freelance work offers a greater variety of assignments compared to regular employment. And with the internet offering more opportunities, freelancing becomes a mine for those who seek good opportunities and better projects, not to mention higher paying jobs. A freelancer can also take on different jobs at one time. He/She can write feature articles while designing a website.

* Fast turnaround of projects. Most freelance jobs are time bound. These jobs are usually done fast and allows freelancers to move on to new projects as soon as they finish the job.

* More freedom, more flexibility. Going freelance can give a person the freedom to choose the place, date and manner in which to do work. Though some freelancing schemes require contracts, freelance still spells a no employer-no employee relationship. Freelance work offers more freedom for someone who does not want to be confined in an 8 to 5 or 9 to 6 work scheme. The freelancer is free to choose his working hours and be his/her own boss. Because of the freedom in work schedule, freelancing gives a person more time to pursue other interests or take on more jobs. Other freelancers also consider the fact that they can even take care of their family better as soon as they start working freelance.

* Improved income and savings. Freelance workers can usually command higher income rates for their projects because they are hired for their specific talents and skills. This is a big plus because they are paid high but do not have to work full time. Though income rates for freelancers vary, most of them still benefit from the setup. They charge either by the hour, by the day, or on per-project. Others use value-based pricing methods instead of imposing a flat rate. Payments are arranged based on the agreement, and could be done upfront, percentage upfront, or paid whenever the project is completed. For others, a staggered payment scheme may be agreed upon.

Today, freelancers can easily find work through the internet. The internet has been a good facilitator of freelancers and employers around the world. These jobs can range from writing short articles to language tutors to architectural designs. The demand to complete projects through freelancing is still very high, as shown by the thousands of projects posted on the Internet.

To celebrate the world of freelance I'm going to spend the next few weeks penning a series of articles devoted to this worthy subject that is so close to my heart.

Until next time . . .
Write On!

Paige Jackson
Create 2 Sell
http://www.create2sell.com

Two of the top questions that people ask about mini e-books are “what is a mini e-book” and “why is it important in the scheme of my business"?  So I thought I’d take a stab at explaining this latest, fast growing phenomenon.

“What is a mini e-book?”

A mini e-book is a small book, typically 5-25 pages - it can be an executable file or PDF document and it is a selling or reference tool to a niche topic.

“Why A Mini E-Book?”

A mini e-book can be used for a number of different purposes, though the most common one is to convey a secret or 'twist' within a niche topic that no one else is sharing.  It makes mini e-books a great, low time investment to get your message out there.

So what's the difference between an e-book and a mini e-book?  A mini e-book is usually much more focused than a regular e-book because it doesn't aim to be all encompassing.  Instead, it is targeted to deliver crucial information about a technique or idea.  Successful publishers will often going beyond a preset scope in their mini e-book.

Mini e-books are still salable, through venues such as ClickBank or direct from your website through PayPal or other shopping cart options.  The only limit you'll ever encounter is the limit placed on your account by your third party processor.

Additionally, you can use mini e-books to get your name (or business name) out there.  You can give them away for free in Joint ventures or in exchange for the email address of your downloader which you can then email with some back-end sale or offer to entice return readers to your site - and perhaps generate sales from new customers.

Now you too can answer the questions why a mini e-book, and what can they do for you?  They are short reports, e-books, white papers, or article compilations designed specifically around a focused niche that allows you to generate traffic, revenue, or both.  There you go – nothing to it!

Until next time . . .
Write On!

Paige Jackson
Create 2 Sell
http://www.create2sell.com

Blog marketing is something that has really peaked an interest in the online world. Many people across the internet have blogs. A blog is basically just an online journal that you can use and publish for the world to read - whether you choose to write about personal things or business. Maybe you want to use it to promote products or services. The way you use your blog is totally up to you. However, you should be aware of the scams that are out there and what to avoid while you are trying to market your blog.

Blog marketing has scams just like any other kind of marketing. There is always someone wanting to scam someone and take money from people that do not know better. So what can you do to protect yourself? The best way to protect yourself from blog marketing scams is to become familiar with them and know what they are and how they work. Unfortunately this can be hard to do because the scams change as often as you change your clothes.However, by becoming familiar with how they work, you have a much better chance of avoiding them.

Often it easy enough to learn of a scam by doing some research – usually it has happened to someone else and they were angry enough to write about it somewhere in hopes of saving others from making that same mistake. Just make sure that you research and read and know what you are getting into. Visit forums and look for references on any type of marketing that you are interested in doing.Pay close attention to who is getting good press and who is not. Get feedback from your fellow marketers for the best results. Ask them if they have recommendations, or know of places that are legitimate.

Here are some tips and clues to alert you to a possible scam:

• The company is demanding payment upfront before any work is produced.
• The company is new and/or has changed names several times.
• The company provides references but no way to contact those references.
• You are provided references with contact information but the information is not the same as what is available on that references’ website, etc.
• You investigate and research and find a lot of positive feedback – but after a closer look it all appears to be written by the same person using different names on different sites.(For example they have the word excellent misspelled as exellent in 5 different posts on different sites)

Sadly, if you have been scammed, chances are there is not much that you can do other than get the word out about it. If you have paid someone through something like PayPal that protects you, then you do have a time limit to get your money back and freeze the scammers account.Of course that doesn’t always work either because most of the time the scammers are aware of your options, and they work fast in order to get your money and get out before they are caught. If that is the case, you really can not do much else about it other than alert the proper authorities and count your losses and scream it from the mountaintops so that no one else gets scammed.

I know all of this sounds frightening but it’s important to remember that there are also many legitimate resources that you are going to find that you can use and trust. The best way to protect yourself is your research. Ask for references, and make sure that you will be getting the best that you can afford. You will not regret it in the long run, and it will pay off to check someone or a service out before you go and invest your hard earned cash. Actually contact the services or person’s references to make sure that they are who they say, and that they can deliver what it is that you are looking for. It only takes a bit of time and is well worth it to lower your risk of being scammed.

Until next time . . .
Write On!

Paige Jackson
Create 2 Sell
http://www.create2sell.com

Blogs (which are also known as web logs) have become extremely prevalent on the internet.  A blog is a platform that will allow you to post your thoughts on most any subject that you want to. They can be used for journaling, promoting, writing, and publishing - anything that your heart desires. However, if you are a beginner and new to blogging and/or marketing, there are some very important things that you will want to know.

Blog marketing is pretty easy if you have a marketing mind. You are going to find that many people use blogs as a diary and do not intend to make money from them.  These types of blogs are commonly used simply as a way to put their thoughts out there and possibly find others that are going through the same thing, share the same interests, or have advice to offer.  

If you have never had a blog before, it is a good idea to start one and just journal in it for a while. This will allow you to learn just what it takes and what it is all about to keep up a blog. When you are just journaling your thoughts and what is on your mind, you have nothing to lose and nothing to gain. You don’t even have to make your blog public if you don’t want others to read what you have to say. That is a personal preference. However, doing this will let you see how it works. Once you are experienced and comfortable enough with the process, then you can move on to trying to market a product or a service.

Using a blog to market something is much cheaper than using a website. This is because there are so many free ones out there that you can use to get the word out, and they are really just as good as having a website that you pay for. There are of course some advantages to having your own URL, but for a beginner, a free blog will work until you get the hang of it and want to move it all over onto your own server. The free blogs are just not that customizable. If you are not familiar with HTML, you are going to find that your blog will look like everyone else’s. But, that is ok in the beginning. You can always make changes later on once you become successful!

When you have your own blog, you are in charge of the content that is posted on it. You can decide what is said, and what is not (you’re writing it, right?).  So, the sky is the limit. Whether you want a blog that does website reviews and takes nominations, or you want to sell things that you make out of your home, the choice is yours and it is a great way to market and promote something.

But (there’s always a “but” isn’t there) blog marketing can get complicated if you let it. It is really only as hard as you make it.  Yes, there are some bloggers out there that are making a six figure income with the use of blog marketing and we all know that it can be done. We just want to know how.  Well, for any beginner, start small, and be consistent. The six figure bloggers all did. They started with one, built it up, and then added another blog, built it up. Then, keeping up both blogs and not letting them fall behind, they continued to add more and more. Of course they had help, and they probably outsourced a lot of their work. If you are looking to make a massive income with blogging, you will need some help.

Blog marketing is a great thing to learn. If you can sell things from a blog, you can sell them anywhere. Making money by using a blog is one of the most satisfying things that you will ever learn how to do. Just do not expect to make money overnight.  Know that you have to work at it consistently every single day, and remember to put into it what you want to get out of it.

Until next time,

Write On!

Paige Jackson
Create 2 Sell
http://www.create2sell.com

If you'll remember a few months ago I posted a blog about mind mapping - trying to figure out what the big deal was.  Well a client of mine swears by it and wanted me to start creating mind maps for his company for use in training and coaching.  I downloaded a shareware type mind map product and was not impressed at all.  In fact I almost dropped the whole idea right then and there. 

But then my client asked me to go to the Mindjet website (www.Mindjet.com) and download a free trial of their mapping software.  Being the good Virtual Assistant that I am, I went right there and did it.  Within 20 minutes I was creating mind maps (it really is just that easy) for my client.  Within 2 days I was creating mind maps for my business.  Within a week I was hooked!  I didn't even wait for the trial to finish before purchasing the software.

So what is a mind map?  It is a very visual rendering of anything and everything - from a daily "To Do" list to a PowerPoint presentation to an organizational chart and even project management.  A mind map places information in such a way that your brain understands it faster and retains it longer (okay, that's my opinion but I'm sure there's some documented proof somewhere).  Here is a picture of what a completed mind map looks like (this is my daily activity list).


Until next time . . .

Paige Jackson
Create 2 Sell

The simple answer to this question is yes . . . and no . . . and maybe. Well, maybe it is not such a simple answer because it is a particularly loaded question. The subject of outsourcing is a very sensitive issue for many. There are some who believe that outsourcing, whether it is overseas or domestic, is taking jobs away from qualified individuals while others who are profiting from outsourcing are firm advocates for the practice. Let's take a look at outsourcing and examine scenarios when quality is compromised as well as scenarios when quality is not compromised.

What is Outsourcing?

For those who are confused about what outsourcing entails, this section will explain the issue. In its most basic form, outsourcing is employing an individual outside of the work organization to perform specific tasks for monetary compensation. Outsourcing can be done on a per project basis, for a set period of time or on an ongoing basis for an undetermined period of time.

For many the word outsourcing has a very negative connotation. When they think of outsourcing, they picture underage employees in third world countries working for salaries which would be paltry by our standards. However, outsourcing has evolved so much and no longer resembles this stereotype. In fact many outsourcing takes place domestically by savvy entrepreneurs who market their abilities as an independent contractor rather than toiling away in corporate America. These individuals, enjoy their quality of life, negotiate fair compensation for their work and accept or decline work at their own will. Furthermore these individuals are often highly qualified for the positions they accept and are capable of producing work of a high standard.

When Outsourcing Compromises Quality

The simplest answer to this question is quality is compromised when price becomes the sole governing factor in selecting a candidate to complete the outsourced task. Of course this answer is not completely accurate because the truth is there are very educated and skilled employees overseas who are fully capable of completing tasks just as well as those living in this country and often for a much lower price. However, when only domestic candidates are being considered and price is the governing factor, quality is often compromised as it is very rare that the most qualified candidate is also the candidate with the lowest rates.

However, it is very common for an individual or a business to allow price to become more important than quality of work. When this happens quality is often compromised for the sake of a larger profit. An example of this is seen regularly on websites where outsourcing projects are listed and potential applicants submit their bids for these projects. Many who utilize these websites routinely select the lowest bidder without regard for the qualifications of the bidder. In most cases these individuals find they make a costly mistake when the work they receive is inadequate.

When Outsourcing Does Not Compromise Quality

Outsourcing does not always compromise quality. In fact in many cases outsourcing is not only the most affordable option but also provides the most qualified candidates. One way to avoid the pitfalls of having quality compromised by outsourcing is to carefully screen candidates before making a decision. This process should be taken just as seriously as hiring a full time employee because the work of the individual will reflect on you as an individual or your business. If due diligence is given to selecting the right candidate it is not likely that quality will be compromised.

When outsourcing work to an individual it is important to request detailed information regarding their qualifications and to verify all information supplied. Examples of information to request include:

* Previous work history

* Relevant work experiences

* Explanation of qualifications

Additionally, it is wise to ask for both business and personal references. These references should all be contacted and questioned about the work ethic and personal integrity of the individual.

Until next time . . .

Paige

AdSense is considered one of the most powerful tools in a website publisher’s arsenal for a number of reasons. It enables you to easily monetize your site at no cost to you . . . how great is that?  If used properly, it can generate a very large and healthy income for you.  However, by not taking the time to study and research this tool it is difficult to maximize the possible income you can gain.  This means you could be leaving a lot of money on the table, something everyone hates doing.

The road to earning money with AdSense can be reached fairly quickly.  You will be amazed at the results you will be getting in a short period of time.  Following are the top three basic areas you should concentrate on starting out:

1. Keyword search – Do some research to find some popular subjects, keywords, or phrases.  Select the ones which have the most people clicking through. This is actually a keyword selector and suggestion tool that some sites are offering to those who are just starting their AdSense business.
   
2. Write articles. Start writing quality, original content articles with the keywords, subjects, and phrases that you have selected from your keyword search.  Note that search engines have become picky about the quality of their articles and what you will be writing should keep up with their demands.
3. Quality content site.  Build a quality content site incorporated with AdSense ads that is targeting the subject and keywords of your articles and website. This is where all your hard work comes into play and your research proves its value to you.

The next area to consider is the positioning of the AdSense ads on your website.  The proper positioning of your ads should be done with care. Try to position your ads where surfers are most likely to click on them.  According to research, the place that surfers look first when they visit a site is the top left. The reason behind this is not readily known. It could be because some of the most useful search engine results are at the top of all other rankings (top left). So visitors tend to look in that same place when browsing through other sites.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different methods.  The whole point is to build your clickthrough rates and CPM figures.  By knowing these techniques and working them to your advantage, you will likely see your income from AdSense double, triple . . . the sky is the limit!

AdSense has some excellent tracking statistics and tools that allow webmasters and publishers to track their results across a number of sites on a site by site, page by page, keyword, or any other basis you want.  Make the most of this capability because these are powerful tools that will help you determine which ads are performing best (and worst). With this knowledge you can tweak your AdSense ads and focus on the successful ones while deleting or changing those that are not working as well.

Remember that AdSense is not costing you anything, you have no risk.  Take your time, research before you begin to decide on what area you will concentrate on (and if there is enough interest in that area to make it worth your while), and then get started.  Once your website is up and running and you are becoming successful with AdSense keep working and researching and molding, even if you can only spend a few hours a week on it.  Remember, it will be well worth your time.

A few years ago, the word “blog” did not exist in most people’s vocabularies, and now it seems that everyone is expressing themselves with an online journal. You may have heard stories about people making money with their blogs. It’s true! Here are some tips on how to monetize your blog.

Google’s AdSense program is a great way to get started. Submit an easy application at AdSense and once you are approved, you just add some html code to your blog and small text ads will appear on your blog. Google will display ads that share a common theme with your blog. When one of the people reading your blog clicks on an ad, you get paid! The amounts vary, and clicking the ads on your own blog is strictly prohibited.

Affiliate marketing is another great way to make money by blogging. Most companies have an affiliate program, where they pay people to advertise their product online. In most cases, you will be paid a percentage of the sale of an item. Most affiliate programs have many different ads you can choose to include, ranging from full-color graphic ads to simple text ads. You can find affiliate opportunities through Linkshare (www.linkshare.com) and Commission Junction (www.cj.com).

“Pay per post” is somewhat controversial, but still a way to make money blogging. When you are being paid to post, you are actually paid to write about a certain product. In a nutshell, you can register your blog with a company and they will give you a list of things you can choose to blog about. Once you have completed your post, you send a link back to the company and if they accept your post, you will be paid. There may be certain guidelines to be approved, such as the amount of time your blog has been online, how many times you have posted in the last 90 days, and if it is indexed in search engines.

The most important thing to remember is to keep your target market in mind. If your blog is targeted to stay-at-home moms with young children, you will want to keep your ads focused to things that would appeal to them. Do not try to create a blog that appeals to the masses. If you have several different target markets in mind, it will be easier and more profitable to create several different blogs that cater to individual markets.