VA’s & Writers: Make More from Every Client

I put together a sneak peek of my report for Shelancers this month:
Make More Money from Every Client

I’m finding that many of our members over there spend WAY too much time finding new clients, rather than fully servicing the clients that they already have. Therefore, I put together a guide for how they can better serve their existing clients — and get more money out of them.

It sounds a bit harsh, but as someone who outsources, I find myself, very often asking my VA’s — “What ELSE do you do?” “Can I have more hours?” Seems to me that I shouldn’t have to beg THEM — they should be checking in with me.

Anyway, not only do I go over two major ways to get more money from each client, but I also go through a very sweet way you can use this on existing clients — or to attract new clients.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SNEAK PEEK

Let me know what you think below. Would love your ideas, as well.

Thanks!
Nicole

ShareThis

Could you vacation for a Month?

Have you noticed that my blog has been veeeery slow lately? That is because I’ve been traveling for a whole month. (Yes, FREEDOM when to work and when NOT to work is a HUGE benefit to working online.)

So, where’d we go? First we headed to Southern Wisconsin to spend some time with Hubby’s family. We screamed like crazy while whipping upside down at Great America (Six Flags over Chicago) and also went to a Brewer’s Game.

Then, we headed to Northern Wisconsin to spend time with my family. We did a lot of nature stuff up there — canoing, riding horses, catching fireflies, campfires, etc. It was heaven to spend time away from the Florida heat and just soak up my kiddos and snuggle my hubby.

On the way back home, we stopped by Annette Yen, my dear friend who I met online 4 or 5 years ago. We’d never met in person before, but you couldn’t tell. We felt like we’d always hung out together. Her two daughters are amazing young women, and she has much to be proud of.

Then, we stopped in Chattanooga for a few days to visit my friend, Sheila, and checked out that gorgeous city. Loved it. Can’t wait to go back!

BUT… this post is about HOW I was able to spend a month traveling (where oftentimes we were in very rustic areas where there was NO cell phone coverage, and certainly limited internet) and I’ll tell you.

1. GotoMyPC - this enabled me to hook DIRECTLY into my PC at home from my laptop. I could access everything that I have on my home PC as if I was sitting right in front of it. WOW! I was sooo impressed with this service. It saved my booty!

2. Mozy Online Backup - 2GB Free - I finally signed up with Mozy so that I wouldn’t have to worry about my PC while I was gone. If, heaven forbid, the house burned down, a tornado or hurricane hit, lightening struck, or my PC was stolen, I could get an immediate backup of everything I have on my PC (including client work, learning audios, and even my family photos!). This was a comfort to me as I traveled. I feel foolish for having put it off for so long when it was so easy to set up.

3. Wireless internet - Of course, this was huge. I had my dad hook up my Gramma’s computer with wireless before we left, and my brother-in-law had it at his house, too. This enabled me to check in every few days with my helpers to make sure everything was going smoothly.

4. Outsourcing - Of course, I couldn’t leave my home for even a day if it wasn’t for my awesome helpers. They make me look good and keep me smiley.

5. Vonage - With Vonage, I was able to take my home phone number with me. I just grabbed my phone and plugged it into the internet wherever I was and my home phone number would still ring. This actually ended up scaring the heck out of my mom! I called my mom from Wisconsin from my home phone and she thought I was back in Florida. oops!

6. My laptop - You can get a laptop computer pretty inexpensively nowadays. I love mine as it allows me to work on the road.

In addition to all of the above, of course, we switched most of our bills to online bill pay and we had our mail held for the duration. We boarded our dog at a Doggy Camp where he was free to run on 3 acres of land and play with kids for a month. Of course we missed him terribly and he missed us, but he’s not a good traveler… yet. Maybe he’ll come with us next time.

So, did anyone miss me? lol. Anyone else have travel tips? I’d love to hear them.
N

ShareThis

Make Money Scrapbooking for Others!

Home Business Idea: Scrapbook Creation

Scrapbooking is a favorite hobby of many. It involves displaying one’s favorite photographs in a unique and beautiful way. Scrapbooking supply stores have opened in many cities and towns, making it easy to find beautiful embellishments for our memories.

Lots of people love the look of scrapbooks, but some do not have the time or skill required to make their own. Scrapbooking can be somewhat time-consuming, especially to novices. Creating beautiful scrapbooks for others can provide you with a lucrative and fun home business opportunity.

Getting Started with Your Scrapbooking Business

To create scrapbooks, you will need albums, paper, page protectors, adhesives, and decorative accents. Scrapbooking supplies can be found at many craft stores and specialty shops. They are also available online. If you can find them in bulk, you can get a better price on them, lowering the cost of your creations.

You can save money by having your customers purchase their own albums, or by purchasing them as you go. You will recover your costs once the scrapbook is paid for, but when you’re getting started buying a lot of albums may not be feasible. Another way to save money in the beginning is to buy only basic supplies at first. You can always buy more embellishments as needed. Another option is to join a Direct Sales company that sells scrapbook supplies or rubber stamps and use those supplies as the foundation for your business.

Promoting Your Business

Promotion of your scrapbooking business can be done in many ways. You could place ads in newspapers and other print publications. Fliers showing pictures of some of your favorite creations can be placed in various locations. You could even set up a portfolio website so that potential customers can browse numerous samples of your previous work.

Craft fairs and festivals provide great opportunities to promote a scrapbooking business. They give you the opportunity to show entire albums that you’ve done. They also allow you to speak face-to-face with interested parties. You can answer any questions they might have, explain techniques, and show some of the materials you use.

Scrapbooking is a passion for many. If you eat, sleep, and breathe scrapbooking, creating scrapbooks for others and making money doing so could be a dream come true. Many people’s busy lives do not allow them much time for hobbies, and they would gladly pay someone to make a beautiful album featuring their treasured pictures. Offering this service can provide you with a steady income while allowing you to spend more time doing something you enjoy.

As someone with very little time and patience, I would definitely hire someone to do my scrapbooking for me — in a heartbeat!

My friend, Vera, has put together a complete course on Scrapbooking for Profit. She’s offering a $1 trial to check it out. So, if you LOVE Scrapbooking, find out how to turn that into cash (or more cash if you’re already a Consultant for a Scrap company).
Click here to check it out.

Warmly,
Nicole

ShareThis

Get Your Smoothie Groove On with Yummy PLR

It’s my girl Arika’s 30th birthday today and we’re gonna party it up with some smoothies and fun in the sun.

In honor of her turning the big 3-0, we’re selling our newest recipe pack “Summer Time Smoothies” for 30% off. That means you get 40 recipes for $7.
(For you mathematicians and savvy business owners - that’s 17 cents a recipe!)

Help Arika celebrate and head on over and grab your pack today because the price is going up tomorrow!

Yummy PLR Smoothie Recipe Pack - 30% off Birthday Special

Nicole

ShareThis

Things Are Heating Up in the WAH Arena…Again

I once again have the pleasure of being a speaker at this year’s Hot Seminar Series, which takes place on Wednesday nights starting this week, June 18. Every week until August 13th you’ll have a chance to listen in as a successful work at home woman talks about an important area of Internet marketing and doing business online.

My business partner and friend Kelly McCausey hosts the series every year and this year’s line up is one of the hottest in my opinion.

Just check out the speakers she’s got lined up for this summer’s gig:

1. Moi - (Didn’t I tell you it was HOT!)
2. Lynn Terry
3. Wendy Piersall
4. Aurelia Williams
5. Leesa Barnes
6. Leslie Truex
7. Brandie Kajino
8. Shelly Terrell
9. Tiffany Washko

The calls are always free if you attend them live. If you’re like me though, you’ll be relaxing on vacation at least one of the 9 weeks, so give yourself a break for more than one and grab a Season Pass by clicking here.

See ya there,
Nicole

ShareThis

How NOT to Write a JV Contact Email.

I got an email from a gentleman today who has started a business complementary to one of mine. Now, of course I don’t want to “out” this man, because his contact letter was TERRIBLE.

Here’s an excerpt:
I am looking for ways to promote my website business to stay at home moms and was
wondering what opportunities you could me provide for promoting my business to the consumers of your product. (i.e.special mention of referral on your site and in your guide, etc.)

Thanks in advance for your response.

Now, sorry to be a little ornery, but WHY SHOULD I CARE? lol. This sounds like a typical toddler, because all I hear is “ME, ME, ME”.

He’s asking for something without offering anything in return, at all. Now, I get contacted daily by people who would like to find a mutually beneficial joint venture or promotion of some sort. Some I delete because they aren’t a good fit, others I reply with a quick note letting them know I don’t have time but may be interested later, and others I respond out of interest because they get my attention with an awesome offer beyond “link to me” or “sign up as my affiliate”.

On the other hand, I get responses quite often from people I contact. Why? Because I normally contact them to GIVE them something with nothing asked in return (or little asked in return). And, those people end up working with me, sometimes on an ongoing basis.

People, please have some manners. You’re coming into MY inbox (or worse, my phone) wanting something from me. At least have the decency not to be pan-handling when you do it.

ooh. I’m on the soap box again….

Thoughts?
Nicole

ShareThis

Shelancers Press Release #1.

Yesterday I said I had found a wonderful media expert to work with and make me famous. Here’s my first press release from Sharon of www.SharonWrites.com She’s pretty awesome, isn’t she!

PRESS RELEASE

Media Inquiries: Sharon McMillan
Email: sharon.mcmillan@bellnet.ca
Tel: (905) 472-5384

Entrepreneurs Pull Together Female Freelancers
For One of a Kind Business Resource

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2008—Pensacola, FL—Good help is no longer hard to find. Online Business Management expert Nicole Dean and Technology Consultant Darina Loakman are making sure that business owners have a reliable resource for finding short and long-term help with the recent launch of a directory of professional female freelancers called “Shelancers” (www.shelancers.com).

“There are a number of freelancer directories in the market place but none that have the unique focus of Shelancers. The name says it all. This is an online directory of female freelancers specializing in everything from graphic design to accounting,” explains Dean.

As business continues to heat up for online companies, managers are feeling the pressure to have quick access to reliable specialists who can
• Update the design of a website
• Write content for web pages, article marketing campaigns and brochures
• Proofread ebooks, manuscripts and promotional copy
• Provide customer service for web based or telephone help centers and
• Manage administrative and accounting tasks with ease and professionalism.

The Shelancers directory includes specialists who can address the needs of most businesses owners, especially those companies doing business online.

“The Internet has created a new and vibrant marketplace generating tremendous workloads for many small, mid-size and larger businesses. We’ve actively sought out and attracted the best people in marketing, graphic design, website management, virtual assistance (administration), public relations, business communications, accounting, business coaching and more. There is no need for business owners to panic about not having appropriate staff—not when there is a comprehensive resource available like Shelancers. Best of all there is no search fee or other cost associated with using this directory,” explains Dean.

Easy access is an attribute of this directory. Each listing provides freelancer contact information and available client feedback to help hiring managers/owners to readily secure references, quotes and samples of work.

Florida resident, Nicole Dean has been helping women work from home since 2004 and is a recognized expert in Online Business and Affiliate Management. A resident of Ireland, Darina Loakman was included in a list of 50 of the most influential women in Ireland as compiled by the Examiner Newspaper (2006). Both entrepreneurial moms are available for media interviews to discuss their joint venture - Shelancers. To schedule an interview please contact Sharon McMillan, Media Relations, 905-472-5384.

###

ShareThis

Amazing Women

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing work at home moms. Every day I am in awe of their hard work and dedication and am inspired by them.

For instance, look at my new blog!

Logo is by Jen Hauck of http://internetmarketingchic.com

Blog is by Kelly McCausey of http://freshnets.com

I had a brainstorming session with my new press partner, Sharon McMillan of www.SharonWrites.com this morning and am very excited about the future. She’s going to make me famous!

I just took on two interns yesterday (I don’t know if I can name them yet, but trust me that you’ll be hearing about them … much, in the coming weeks!)

And, I just found a new, budding copywriter who is going to help me revamp my headlines. http://getawayvirtualservices.com

The thing that I’m really excited about is that I connected with all of these women at one of two places:

www.MomsMastermind.com - my favorite networking hang out.
&
www.Shelancers.com - my favorite site for Service Providers.

I just wanted to give a shout out to all the amazing women out there and say “Thank you” to those who make me look good every day.

Nicole

ShareThis

Internship in eCommerce with Michelle Waters

Hi everyone. Michelle Waters asked me to post about an internship she has available. I posted it in the members area of Shelancers, but it’s not getting many views yet, so I’ll put it up here, too. It is non-paid, but could work out to a great opportunity for the right person.

—–

This is a non-paid opportunity to learn the trade of ecommerce website building and promotion from the ground up.

You will learn how to build an ecommerce website using the Shop Kit Plus ecommerce system as well as learn how to promote and support the Shop Kit Plus client and Watersweb Shops for the long term.

Skills to be learned include:
• Shop Kit Plus Installation and Customization
• Website Template Creation and Customization
• Shop Kit Plus Integration with WAHMcart
• Wordpress Blog Integration and Customization
• Customer Support
• Website Promotion
• Article Marketing
• Social Networking
• Manual Writing

The Summer Ecommerce Intern position requires an investment of 20 hours per week (learning and working) for fourteen weeks and can turn into a long-term paid position. When you do the majority of your work is not important but you must have at least five hours a week available in the morning or afternoon during the business week.

Prerequisite Skills:
• Internet Research
• Web design experience (Expression Web or Dreamweaver experience acceptable)
• Writing Ability

You will sign a non-disclosure agreement.

You must own a fast, reliable computer and have a high speed nternet connection.

You will be provided with all necessary learning materials and mentoring and any software required.

To Apply:
Send resume outlining skills & experience to: intern@waterswebshops.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Include a Cover Letter that expressed your interest in building ecommerce websites and any particular experience that you have that would make you a good candidate. Be open about your long term goals as they relate to ecommerce and website building.

Your subject line should be SUMMER INTERNSHIP, written in all caps.

Please view the Shop Kit Plus http://www.shopkitplus.com/ and Watersweb Shops http://www.waterswebshops.com/ websites before applying.

Please do not email or call directly, let your resume and cover letter make your introduction.

Thank you!
_________________
Michelle Waters
Michelle Waters Online
Ecommerce for physical product sellers: Shop Kit Plus

ShareThis

Shelancers is Growing.

I’m so excited. Shelancers is growing and I’m having SO much fun with it!

We just added a forum and we’ve posted four job openings already. The June report is about “Specialization in your Service Business”. It’s about how offering less can earn you more money.

We’ve also added an audio about how to become a Copywriter (a great specialization to choose). AND, I added an interview with an Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner about Common Business Mistakes.

If you’re interested in joining us at Shelancers, I look forward to seeing you on the inside!

www.Shelancers.com

Warmly,

Nicole

ShareThis