As the lens of your eye focuses on an image light reaches the retina in a pattern of sorts. Technically speaking the retina is a part of your brain that converts those patterns into a neuronal signal. In a very complicated and amazing process the brain can interpret these signals and your visual perception becomes sight. And boy don’t we appreciate that?

Easy right? Actually do we really care? I mean especially when it works that is. And so it is we benefit greatly from the eye and the brain connection. In fact often times, site and knowledge back each other up. For that reason we have added this series of Close – Up to use actual web pages as visual examples of Internet businesses we discuss here.

Today we visit the world of VA. Yes virtual assistance is an ever growing field serving an ever growing market. Part of finding work in the VA business is promoting you services. Naturally having an Internet presence is a must.

Aside from maintaining your site however there is the directory concept. Now the word directory can be self explanatory but it does have some broader meaning when it comes to Internet application. For a prime example we go to http://www.virtualassistants.com/.

Remember using this site as a reference is to show an example of something that is being done in this field. It may help you set up your site and/or help you see the options out there for you in this vocation. As a reminder then we are not endorsing or taking anything away from what virtualassistants.com has to offer. That is for you to decide. But let’s look at how they go about presenting themselves.

At first glance the Home Page is very professional and has a nice moderate use of colors. They have a memorable and yet simple logo next to the title of the page. Across the header to the far right is a nice photo image of a face. It subtly is giving the visitors a visual idea of what one of the VA’s working for them look like. It’s a clever idea I think because people like to have a face to relate to and from a trusting bond. Down the left column is a nice striking menu.

Your choices of are:

• Post Jobs: A business can post a job and the VA company will look for a VA for the job.
• Become a VA: Gives you the opportunity to become a VA.
• VA’s Only: This is for members of the VA.com staff. Which could be you.

In a column to the right there is a log in choice for members. Below is a menu with sections like:

• In the Spotlight: Has testimonials, registration, an invitation, and view current jobs.
• In the News: And informative section for perspective and existing VA’s.
• Extra, Extra: Offers newsletter, VA items, and more.

All of these areas are laid out nicely and offer a wide array of info and choices for beginner to pro. That is always a good idea for you site. It is very effective to be helpful to as many people as you reasonably can. It is important not to mix the two together if possible. Meaning professionals do not want to waste their time reading things regarding beginners. And conversely rookies can be lost in a sea of advanced information meant for professionals.

Take a moment or two and analyze this site and how it is presented but also consider the wide audience they are appealing to. You can determine if you would like their help or the help of a site like theirs to promote your existing service if you indeed already have one.

The end game is simple. Blend the knowledge and desire you have to be a successful VA with the visual guides of those ahead of you on the business and experience level. Now get at it!

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Think of all the times in life that you wish someone was right there to help or assist you. And think of the lengths we go to at times to try and get that situation to become a reality.

Fact is we could fill a book with measures people have gone too to have help at the ready. Well thanks to the Internet we can add another. It is called a virtual assistant (or a VA).

Practically speaking, the reality is there are a number of applications related to being a virtual assistant. Just like there are red peppers, green peppers, and yellow peppers. We will consider a prime example of a VA application for this article. It is transcribing or transcription. This can apply to legal matters, corporate applications, or in our example a medical scenario.

The beauty of VA and other Internet businesses is that you can usually do it right from your own home. In fact a good number of the VA’s out there are staying at home moms.

Naturally you have already determined that you are qualified to take on these types of assignments and you have yourself equipped with a capable computer with quality Internet access. Now you need to get some work.

You have a few options here. One option may be that you are struggling to work out of an office taking care of some of the administrative duties we have mentioned above. Why not sit down with your boss and discuss the possibility of you doing this from your home. Setting that up from there is relatively easy. And everything can be sent across the web right back to the office. And thanks to the web you are always “just a ring of the bell” away.

A second option is finding an independent company that supplies the assignments for their staff. And their staff is not cooped up in an office they are spread across the Internet easily reached via the Internet or phone.

The third option is starting your own independent VA service and contracting your own assignments. For example I know a talented gal who set up a transcription service from her home with a local Doctor. He and/or his staff dictates data for her and she has the training and skills to transcribe that onto electronic media. All she needs, aside form the training, is a reliable computer, the necessary programs, and a dictation machine to play back the dictation tapes that are mailed to her. When complete she simple mails the dictation tapes back, a printed copy of the transcriptions and electronically mails a copy of the transcriptions.

This started out as a side job to supplement her day job. However it quickly grew to being contacted by other Doctors. A couple of them hundreds of miles away! Why would Doctor’s want to do this?

For one as we mentioned at the outset, we all love it when dependable help is right there, whenever we need it. Secondly and very important, this is often more cost effective. The job does not require the VA to deal with customer/patient needs so they do not need to be “there”. Also this means the Doctor is not paying them or for their salary, benefits, workman’s compensation, vacation, sick days, and a space to work. And what the Doctor pays them for their services is a tax write off (At least in the USA). It’s a win / win situation for the Doctor and the VA.
Have you decided what type of peppers you are going to plant? Because once you have the steps that follow are much the same as they would be with whatever you planted. And so it is with your VA business.

You have narrowed down what area of the VA world you want to conquer now you need to do some gardening or cultivating. As far as soliciting and acquiring jobs you will need to conjure up and prepare a professional resume to present to potential clients. I believe for those who have taken transcribing courses they offer tips on how to nail down some work. Some I have been told have gotten leads and/or a supportive reference from their course provider. Obviously any hands on experience you have will go a long way in helping you land a project.

Remember in these times of economic difficulties the idea of using VA’s is rapidly growing. Go back a couple paragraphs and re-read why that is the case. If a Doctor, Lawyer, or corporate manager can get the same quality work and not have to take on the operative costs of housing staff that is very inviting. Again it is truly a win / win situation. And don’t kid yourself; this is going to be the pattern for years to come.

What are you waiting for then? Do you possess these skills already? Then get started by taking on some side projects and grow your VA “plant” from there. Need some education to do this? Check out the courses available in the local schools in your area. You would be surprised how accommodating the schedule can be. Take your classes around your schedule and go from there. Now go!

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Teacher – noun – a person who teaches or instructs. To teach is a verb linked with an object meaning to impart knowledge of or a skill in. To give instruction. Other words connected with the art of teaching are words like enlighten, tutor, train, educate, inform, and even discipline.

Over the course of time we all have come to appreciate the intrinsic value to society that good teachers have on the youth of humanity. We also recognize that none of us are too old to learn a thing or two. And the fact that education is a part of life even as we become adults only heightens the value and benefit of good teaching and good teachers.

Take for instance the business side of the Internet. We are bombarded with invitations and testimonials of how people are making money on the Internet. Often the phrase or the basic thought of “let me teach you how I did it” is an underlying theme of these proclamations. But more often than not, those people don’t actually teach you anything about the Internet and how to make money with your own Internet business.

But that does not have to be your experience. For there are many good teachers of Internet business applications. You just have to find them. Answering the question “what am I looking for?” will help you to do just that.

Let’s cover some of the basics yay and nays.

• A good teacher will not make outlandish promises. For example: “I will make you rich” or “An Internet business means you don’t do anything”
• A good teacher will tell you upfront what you will learn from them.
• A good teacher will map out the steps that will make up the course
• A good teacher will methodically teach you step by step
• A good teacher will explain things at your level
• A good teacher will be accessible for support and assistance
• A good teacher will explain what this knowledge and skill will equip you to do

Naturally you may find these educators at your local University or Community College. Or you may even find a quality course on line that offers on line learning or some other kind of correspondence course.

Keep in mind a quality formal education will most likely require a financial commitment as well as a time commitment. That is not a bad thing however. But be aware that there are some informal channels you can explore that offer some viable options. Make no mistake about it though, your focus and determination will be needed to succeed.

Another important factor is your patience. Many Internet businesses have similarities but each of them have their uniqueness. Do not try and tackle them all at once. Get familiar with each type of Internet business and choose one to start with. And tackle as many as you wish, only one at a time.

This reminds me of many people who come to the gym and get frustrated that nothing seems to be happening. That usually is a result of them trying to achieve conflicting goals at the same time. A typical impatient guy has put on a few pounds so he wants to trim down but he also wants to be buff with muscles. So he spends his time lifting for weight gain and then he is doing cardio for weight loss. As logical as that may sound to some it doesn’t work that way. You need to do one or the other first followed by the other. For example the typical body builder will pack on the pounds of muscle first and then devote his workout to shedding fat.

Thus the same orderly mindset should be applied to your on line business development. Something like this:

1. First learn the basic outline of what the Internet does and how it works
2. Learn the number of applications there are for Internet business
3. Learn the options of the various things you can do with a web page
4. Learn the choices you have of where and how to set up your own web page
5. Or learn of the jobs you can do for others who have a web page
6. Systematically learn the skills needed to succeed at the model you have chosen

In the end you will find that you have the upper hand and the confidence it takes to make some money with your Internet skills. As a result your teacher would have given you truly valuable skills.

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Many successful people learn from successful people. Many a person has sought and utilized the help of a mentor. Thus the unscrambled question; is it meant to be?

Now as most of you know a mentor is an experienced adviser and a trusted instructor. He or she is someone in whom you confide in for guidance and training in the area you are pursuing. He or she is a specialist or an expert in that field and therefore capable of teaching you the nuances of your area of business or of life.

What about the Internet world and its business opportunities? ……. What about it? Of course there are mentors available. But why?

Well realistically most of us can become nervous or lack the confidence to apply the knowledge we have researched or have learned through schooling. Yes we have the information in our noggin and we have done some exercises for practice, but now that we are on our own, we are freezing up or getting frustrated. This is where a mentor comes in.

You see your mentor is there to help you through the maturing process of applying acquired knowledge. He or she can instruct us as we are taking our first baby steps and gradually help us to walk without them holding our hands. They are there as a safety net and a pep talker. They are there to help us learn through repetition and application.

What makes a good mentor? Obviously we need to find someone who truly knows what they are doing. But just as important, they need to be someone who can communicate useful information. They need to be a teacher. A good mentor also needs to be a good listener and they should also be observant.

It would be nice if they had a genuine interest in our future success also. It goes without saying that they would have to be available for us to consult with them when needed, as well as they must be a positive influence on us as they deal with us patiently.

Where do you find such a person? There are various ways to seek out a mentor. A common thread with all of those ways is that a mentor should be involved in the area you are seeking assistance in. In other words you will look for and find a mentor by associating with others in your field of interest.

If you are a writer, talk and mingle among writers. If you are a retail entrepreneur, hang it with other enterprising minds. And so on. What is going to happen is that you are going to find out if any mentors are among the circle you “run” with or if any are making themselves available.

You will find this out by asking among your circle and learning about those in your circle. This may be on or off line. Of course we will find many mentors who make themselves available through social pages, forums, or through business contacts. So by all means keep your eyes and ears on the ground and pay attention!

It is also worthy of mention that this area of discussion opens a door for those among us who are the specialists and the potential teachers. Maybe you were mentor be? Maybe you are mentor material?

Hey maybe this is an opportunity to make a few bucks as a consultant or to help an aspiring enterpriser to find his way in the World Wide Web. Maybe you will do this for the thrill and satisfaction of helping someone out? Whatever the case, you are needed and wanted.

In the end it is very simple. You know who you are and you know what has to happen here. The next move is yours. So if you need professional or experienced assistance then go out and find it pronto by seeking out a mentor. And if you are available for providing help make yourself available either for hire or from the goodness of your heart. As the swoosh tells us, JUST DO IT!

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