Virtual Assistance...From A Distance!!

SEO Tip #2

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:44:00 +0000

Blog!

It's not just for social networking, information sharing, or building an online network...

As long as the blogs are written properly and follows the text link rules from a previous post titled SEO Tip #1 ...blogging will also help you build valuable traffic for your website.

If your going to blog--you might as well make sure your posts are SEO optimized.

Working with a Real Estate Virtual Assistant...EFFECTIVELY!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:04:00 +0000

Well, a few years ago our company phone would ring off the hook and the most common questions from real estate professionals would be...What is a virtual assistant anyway?

Fast forward 4 years and most agents have heard or worked with a virtual assistant (or 2 or 3) in the past. Many with not so great stories of inexperienced VA's and others that swear by their Virtual Assistant as being the #1 integral part to their success (and sanity)...

That being said, for everyone still wondering what a Virtual Assistant aka VA is and does...here it is in a nutshell;

Virtual Assistant: Business professionals trained or experienced in usually a marketing or administrative capacity (or both) that integrate into your business remotely.

The topic of this post will actually be a series...each identifying how to work effectively with a virtual assistant.

Tip #1: Understand the Nature of the VA-Agent Relationship
It is collaborative in nature, and email is the primary mode of communication.

I've had clients where the client practically spams our company with questions 24/7 ...on the other hand I've also had agents that took 2 weeks to respond to a questions and/or phone call to provide feedback. Either extreme is unacceptable when working with a VA because the VA is unable to work effectively in either scenario. Similarly, lack of response or email overload should not be something that an agent should have to deal with either.

VA-Agent Etiquette: Regular feedback/updates should be expected from a VA for work performed as well as re-occuring phone appointments (if necessary) to clarify workload. After initial account is set up with an agent the workflow should go on autopilot so to speak. Agents--Unless it is an emergency...email a VA and request an appointment time...same goes for Virtual Assistants trying to reach their agent/client. Determine priority or level of importance and act accordingly. EVERYTHING is not high priority. However, VA's should pay special attention to time-sensitive tasks and act accordingly.

SEO Tip #1-Optimize Your Text Links

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 04:53:00 +0000

Optimize your text links...what does this mean????

Well, if you are a real estate agent in San Diego California one of the key terms you might want to be optimized for is 'San Diego California Real Estate' or 'San Diego California Home Sales'

By optimize I mean, increase the chances of people searching on a search engine like Google or Yahoo to find your website in the search results...

Now, the text that points to the link tells the search engines to associate those words with that URL.

I will use Creative Agent Solutions website as an example. We want people to find us in Google when they search for the keyword phrase 'real estate virtual assistants'

So, when we blog, post to forums, customize our myspace, or add links to our website, etc. we always use keywords as the 'anchor text' that links to our website URL.

Example:

If we blog we might use the...

CORRECT EX: View more information on real estate virtual assistant services...

but we would NEVER use...

INCORRECT EX: Click here for more information on real estate virtual assistant services...

We do not want to tell the search engines to associate our website URL with the words 'click here' INSTEAD we want them to associate our keyword phrase of 'real estate virtual assistants' with our URL.

Hope this helps :)

Recommended Social Networking Sites

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:31:00 +0000

With all of the networking sites available it can be a bit overwhelming. We've been fine tuning our real estate Social Media Marketing (SMM) services and have 3 that you should definitely sign up for if you not already...

Active Rain
Wanna Network
Real Town

*Active Rain & Wanna Network also allow you to showcase your listing

Real Estate Social Media Marketing

Our team is growing!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:24:00 +0000

We've recently added Tami Hughson and Roxanne Tidmore as a virtual team member. Tami specializes in REO & BPO support, while Roxanne is our Lead Conversion Specialist.

You can view all of our virtual assistant team members here
http://virtualcas.com/about/meet-our-team-members

Top 5 Ways Home Buyers Find Agents...Did you know??

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:48:00 +0000

Below is how home buyers find Real Estate Agents...

Referred by (or is) a friend, neighbor, or relative 40%*

Used agent previously to buy/sell a house 13%*

Visited open house and met agent 7%

Walked into/called office and agent was on duty 4%

Internet Site 7%

Source: 2006 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers

*This means that (40% + 13%) 53% of buyers will come from your current sphere of influence, i.e. family, friends, co-workers, etc or your past client database (which is probably comprised of 40% referral clients already)

Remember it is less expensive to keep a client than it is to find a new one!!

Q: What should this mean to you????

Answer: Contact Database Management or what we call Relational Marketing should be a consderable part of your 2008 marketing budget.

E-Mail Subject Lines: Beyond the Basics - Entrepreneur.com

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 03:11:00 +0000

Follow the link below for some useful tips to amp up your email marketing campaigns. Keep these same ideas in mind when you are writing articles or blogging. Same rules apply!!

E-Mail Subject Lines: Beyond the Basics - Entrepreneur.com

So What the heck is Web 2.0??

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:29:00 +0000

Glad you asked...

With all the buzz about MySpace, YouTube, Facebook lately you are probably wondering...can this help my business?

Yes! Web 2.o or what we like to call Social Media Marketing (SMM) is the new media channel for online marketing. Blogs, podcasts, videos, etc are also included in this category...

Creating online profiles social platforms such as Active Rain, Ojeez, Meet Up, Hub Pages, Squidoo, Stumble Upon, Linked In, Real Estate Voices, etc... are great ways to:

Build backlinks to your website
Increase online exposure for your services/listings
Increase higher search engine rankings
Network with other industry professionals and people with similar interests
Build referrals
Let clients read your background profile

For example. I just signed a client (real estate agent) for our new Social Media Marketing (SMM) service and set up her online profiles. We also created her online groups for others to join and made sure all of her websites and blogs were linked in to her profiles. We did this on Monday and already she had an investor from New York contact her.

Pretty Cool, huh?

Quick Virtual Assistant Cost Analysis

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:18:00 +0000

Let's say you needed someone to post to your blog and maintain your website leads. For example you have approximately 36 leads per month that come in through your various websites and you have 2 blogs that need 3 posts per week.

It takes a virtual assistant about 20 minutes for 1 blog post.
2 blogs x 3 posts per week = 6 posts per week
6 posts per week x 20 minutes per post = 120 minutes (2 hours per week)
2 hours per week x 4 weeks = 8 hours per month

36 leads per month / 4 weeks = 9 leads per week
9 leads per week / 7 days per week = 1.29 leads per day
It takes a virtual assistant between 2-8 minutes to follow-up with a 1.29 leads per day
For the purpose of this calculation we will round it up to 10 minutes
10 minutes x 1.29 leads per day = 12.9 minutes per day
12.9 minutes per day x 30 days per month = 387 minutes
6.45 hours per month

8 hours + 6.45 hours = 14.45 total hours per month

14.45 hours x $48 per hour= $693.60

Can you find an accountable and detail oriented assistant that is always on time, never calls in sick, and does not need babysitting for only $693.60 per month?

Maybe instead of blog postings and lead management you need internet research and data entry...or maybe appointment setting and online marketing. Virtual Assistant services are pretty much ala carte so you can customize your perfect service package as you wish.

NAR Was A Great Success!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:19:00 +0000

Well, we just got back from NAR a few days ago in Las Vegas and have some really great partnerships in the works. Our main focus was to scout for vendors that wanted to offer our clients and website visitors exclusive discounts in exchange for being included in our network and on our website. Once we have a chance to review the individual products/software we will be able to narrow it down a bit to the best in each category and then pass this information/discounts on to you!! We look forward to sending you discounts, product reviews, and special offers!! Check our website over the course of the next 2 months to stay up to date on what's were working on for you :)

Real Estate Virtual Support Website

Another VA Directory Success Story!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:08:00 +0000

I would just like to say thank you to the VA Directory. I just partnered with a great client that was sent to me through an RFP through the VirtualCAS website. It has been a positive experience and I am hopeful that clients will continue to see the value of a virtual assistant.

Kristin Minugh
All Shasta

Virtual Assistants @ NAR Conference 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:46:00 +0000

Look for us at NAR in Las Vegas. We will be representing our CAS Virtual Assistant network and would love to talk with you. We'll be attending the Expo on Wednesday and Thursday promoting our VA Directory and scouting for strategic partnerships!!

Sarah / Shannon

VA Directory Success Story!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 22:35:00 +0000

I just wanted to take a moment to pass along what Sandi Logan from Florida wrote today. Sandi Just signed up a couple of days ago in our VA Directory in Florida. If you would also like to be listed in our VA Directory visit this link http://virtualcas.com/services/promote-your-va-business/

I just have to share that with Sarah and the VA directory, I just
received a signed contract for 10 new clients from Mississippi!! This
brokerage has a total of 39 agents and 10 that are directly under the
broker I am working with. Once we develop systems, I will then pick up
the other 29 agents! Many thanks to Carolyn Nelson as well for giving
me the tools to be able to handle this many agents! Her classes are
above a necessity for success in this business. If you want any more
info on her please feel free to contact me via email.

Sarah, many thanks to you for this blessing! I look forward to more as
I am already looking to hire an assistant!

Sandi Logan
www.LoganVirtualAssistant.com

PS I am also looking forward to blogging and am waiting on my final

email to get started!

CONGRATULATIONS SANDI :)

Virtual Assistant Industry In The News--CNN Video

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 06:43:00 +0000

Click here

Give Your Virtual Assistant A Local Phone Number

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:27:00 +0000

As a virtual support specialist, we specifically like to have real estate agents implement a local phone number if they are utilizing our lead management or transaction management services. This way we have a local phone number to use in our email signatures and/or as a call back number.

If you have an 800# service like GotVMail or Proquest you can just dedicate a mailbox extension for your virtual assistant. Let them record their message and usually (with Got V Mail and various other 800#'s) you can customize the settings to either ring to your VA's cell and if they don't pick up it sends the message as an .mp3 file to the VA's email.

Real Estate Agents: In the event you don't have or don't want a full 800# but you do want to have a unified front for your virtual team you can set up an E-Voice (30 Day Free Trial) Account for $5/month. It just goes straight to a your recording the sends an email and text message to your VA. It can also go to mulitple emails so that way both the you and your VA(s) can get a copy of the voicemail if desired.

VA's: E-Voice never rings!! I personally do not allow agents to use any service that rings my cell directly. So,event if they have a Got V-Mail or similar account the follow-me forwarding to my cell is disabled. It is way to distracting to my business!!!! I'd much rather have messages go directly to my email and alert me via text. Then, I can prepare and return the call. This is the only way to handle multitude of agents effectively.

I was on a message board the other day and read a post where one VA was making a recommendation to another VA. They suggested that the VA have the real estate agent buy and mail her a cell phone with the agents local number. Then this VA continued to suggest that the VA should carry the phone with her at all times. The VA offering this advise actually does this for 3 agents!!!! That means when she goes to the store she is carrying around 4 phones. Please don't make this mistake. All you need is one PDA, smartphone, TREO, etc. that accepts emails, a routing number like E-Voice or Got V-mail...and you are in business.

Other useful tools for your business

Blogging Assistants Needed...Special Promotion Expires 12/31/07

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 06:40:00 +0000

I am a virtual assistant and own Creative Agent Solutions. I am in need of many virtual assistants that are willing to post short blog entries 3x per week.

In exchange I will provide a FREE listing in our VA Directory for your state. You will also be featured with the ad type of your choice (i.e. banner, text link, etc.) on our blog for your state.

The VA Directory allows you to receive exclusive RFP's directly.

This VA Directory will take center stage on the highly ranked home page of our website prior to the NAR 2007 convention in Las Vegas. (Right now it is listed under services and off to the right on our site labeled 'Find Your VA Today’)

We have a full page ad in IREAA for the convention and we will also be heavily promoting the Directory at NAR as well as online via our website, blogs, and SEO efforts.

This is an awesome opportunity to gain exposure for your virtual business for FREE!

We are offering FREE listings until Jan. '08. After that it will be a paid listing for $29/month to cover website and SEO expenses(providing you continue to blog 3x a week and supply a link back to the directory on your website)and if you don't want to stay listed when the New Year rolls around you just don't pay and that's it.

The blog platform we are using is Blogger. Posting will be as simple as sending an email to a specific blog email address so you don't really have to be a blog expert. Our virtual team is handling all blog creation and RSS feeds.

We would like to have at least 1 Virtual Assistant with their business listed in each state prior to the NAR Convention.

The best part about the VA Directory is that we only allow non-competing specialties. So if you do transactions in Florida and you sign up no one else will be able to promote transaction services.

So please narrow down what your #1 specialty is with a back up specialty prior to submission.

Listings are on a first come first serve basis and blogging needs to start as soon as we set up your listing. The blog that you post to will also have your own VA business highlighted on it so you will gain extra exposure there as well.

Currently we get a lot of leads from Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, California, Arizona, Ohio, and the Midwest. In the event an RFP comes in for a state that does NOT have a VA listed it will be distributed to all VA Directory members based on their specialty.

As the blog popularity grows so will the RFP's and also don't forget massive promotion at NAR is underway.

As a blogging assistant we require:

3 posts per week that are approx. 2 paragraphs in length
Creative writing skills
Proper grammar and spelling

*Remember a blog is NOT an article…we want them short and sweet and informative and can be on any aspect of the VA industry.

Monetary compensation will not be offered for this position. This is a straight mutually beneficial exchange of services.

Serious inquiries only as we need to get this rolling ASAP!

Social Networking Sites Increase Your SERP

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:17:00 +0000

I'm sure by now you have heard of My Space...then Face Book, Squidoo, Linked In, Wanna Network, Active Rain, among others. These are all social networking sites that link users together by special interest groups, categories, referrals, etc. They also incorporate blogs on their platforms and the posts are syndicated throughout the web via RSS feed.

If you want to increase your online traffic to your website, create user accounts at the various social networking sites and be sure to include your website URL when you are creating your profile. Then be sure to link your various social networks together as well.

Try to blog at least 3x per week for optimum results

Use the keywords you want to be ranked for throughout your posts

Effortlessly Drive Traffic To Your Blog--BLOG RUSH

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 07:38:00 +0000

Blog Rush is a way to drive extra traffic to your blog. It displays other blogs related to your site in a widget and when people click on your widget your blog then posts to someone else's site. It also tracks your credits and referrals.

Click here to try Blog Rush--It's FREE

Real Estate Virtual Assistant Q's---Ask Them Here!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:34:00 +0000

As a result of the overwhelming responses from real estate agents wanting to know the nuts and bolts of the virtual assistant industry and it's benefits I decided to start this group dedicated to questions only. Ask Questions Here

There are no stupid questions! Trust me. Someone else somewhere else will be glad you asked it and secretly waiting for the reply.

In the title of your posts type your question with any thoughts/concerns in the body.

All virtual assistants are welcome to share their expertise and answer any questions in an effort to help inform the real estate industry of the unique advantages of working with a virtual assistant.

Thanks!

So What Is A Real Estate Virtual Assistant?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:30:00 +0000

A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in his/her area of expertise from his/her own office on a contractual basis. ~ IVAA

Basically, real estate virtual assistants are the cost effective alternative to hiring a real estate personal assistant or administrative assistant. The advantage is virtual assistants do not take up space in your office, call in sick, or leave you high and dry to become a realtor after you’ve invested so much time and money into hiring and training.

Here’s the best part! Virtual assistants are only there when you need them! Hiring a Real Estate Virtual Assistant adds to your real estate team but NOT to your overhead. When you are not busy they are not busy for you. You no longer have to carry the burden of staffing a full time employee (with benefits, payroll tax, vacation days, workers compensation, health benefits, etc.) all year round!

There are some tasks that are better suited for a virtual assistant than others. Obviously, all web-based marketing can be done from any PC connected to the internet. Creating and maintaining blogs and/or websites is also very common. Even transaction management is beyond geographical boundaries. I personally coordinate for agents all over the country and when I speak to their clients or send a fax/email my call back # is a local one for them and my fax is toll free. They never know that I am not right there in their city. Unless of course they start talking about the weather :)

You'll find as you browse real estate virtual assistant sites the same terminology/systems that are associated with certain niche services are popping up. This is because REVA's around the country are identifying obstacles that agents face, sharing information and research, and customizing streamlined solutions for agents while utilizing the best possible software so little or no training is necessary on the agents part.

A great virtual assistant will already have the system or process set up for whatever his/her specialty is to ensure the transisition for the agent is as seamless as possible. Ex: submission forms, database update forms, sample task lists, monthly reminder emails, weekly project update forms, etc.

Read more frequently asked questions about the Real Estate Virtual Assistant Industry

Listing Marketing + Transaction Management--Combined

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 07:36:00 +0000

As a response to current market conditions, earlier this year we launched our Listing Marketing package.

This package enables you to generate buyers while maximizing your online/community exposure for your listings—keeping your sellers happy!

Now you can add all listing marketing tasks to your transaction management task list and have your coordinator handle all marketing as well as all of the administrative details of the file once there is an offer. Read more about our Online Transaction Coordination.

We will coordinate your purchase deals too at a lower rate!

How does this 2-in-1 service help you?

You don’t pay until your deals close or cancel. That means we’ll start marketing your listings with no out of pocket expense other than the small one-time account set up fee to set up your Transaction Management account.

You can go on vacation and your files are handled. Our client Heidi Hovatter from California just went on a week cruise and her coordinator handled everything for her new file while she was away!

Your files are archived electronically. No more need to save hard copy files. We’ll move you to paperless transaction with little effort on your part!

Streamline your business. The more standardized you make your business the more money you will make!

If you are interested in this service or want to get started please contact us directly.

Hope to hear from you soon! 1.866.585.3433 or visit our Real Estate Assistant Website

Real Estate Transaction Management--Include On HUD

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 07:31:00 +0000

Did you know you can put transaction management services on the HUD as a cost of doing business and pass a % or the whole amount onto your client as part of processing the transaction? Then the virtual assistant just invoices the title company at closing instead of the agent.

Learn more about Real Estate Transaction Management

This VA Takes A Team Approach to Meeting Client Needs ...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:28:00 +0000

Sarah Reiter, owner of Creative Agent Solutions in Phoenix, specializes in working with a team of hand picked and highly trained VAs to offer services ranging from transaction coordination to custom database management. Here's how she does it.

VA Profile and recent interview with Michael Russer, aka 'Mr. Internet'

Save The World-One Click At A Time!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 06:56:00 +0000

On each of these websites, you can click a button to support the cause -- each click creates funding, and costs you nothing! Bookmark these sites, and click once a day!

The advertisers/sponsors on the sites fund the cause so if you can try to support them too...even better :)

MSNBC Video--Virtual Assistants

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 24 May 2007 21:30:00 +0000

Insight into the virtual assistant industry...

MSNBC Video