What is a Virtual Assistant?

A Virtual Assistant (or VA) is a self-employed skilled professional who works from their own office or home, providing a variety of remote business support services. Utilising today’s technology, a Virtual Assistant works independently and flexibly, away from the traditional office environment.

Education levels of Virtual Assistants (VAs) vary but as a general rule they are normally well educated and have a multitude of hard skills and experience in office management and computer systems and software.

My assistance is ideal for small to medium businesses, business start ups, sole traders, freelancers, charities, community groups and larger companies who have the opportunity to outsource work. I am also available to help with personal matters and projects.

I am not an employee of your company. In fact I am my own small business owner myself. I take pride in working with your company providing an excellent, cost effective resource.

Communication between us is usually by phone, e-mail, instant messaging, fax or post. However, if you are a local business then I can meet with you personally. 

I can provide you with business support on a continual or ad-hoc basis. I have over 17 years office experience in I.T. and secretarial support.

Step by Step Guide to Creating A Self Hosted Wordpress Blog

Want to host your own Wordpress Blog but don’t know how to do it?  It’s really not that hard to do - you need to organise some hosting, do some downloading, do some uploading and then some tweaking.  Don’t worry the tweaking part is optional!

Here is a brief guide to getting your own self hosted Wordpress Blog.

1. Register domain and get hosting.  Make sure hosting has MYSQL and PHP.  If you don’t have a hosting company in mind, pop on over to Blue Host as they can provide you with reliable hosting at a great cost.
2. When domain and hosting is set up add the email addresses you will need.  You don’t have to do this step but it looks great in marketing if you have yourname@yourdomain.com instead of a Yahoo or Gmail account.  It’s all about the image!
3. Set up a MYSQL database via your hosting company.  Make note of settings as you’ll need them.
4. Download latest version of Wordpress from wordpress.org and install on your local drive (your computer).  It’s free so you don’t have to get your credit card to get the rather awesome wordpress software.
5. Change the wp-config-sample.php to include the MYSQL database details.  Rename the wp-config.sample.php to wp-config.php.  You can use notepad to edit the file.
6. Use an FTP program to upload the wordpress files to your host company.
7. Go to your domain name in your internet browser and go to your domain name.  The installation process should run automatically.  All you need to enter is your Blog title and your email address (using one of your new ones creates a streamlined blog approach but you don’t have to – any old one will do).
8. Make note of the admin password – I suggest copying it because you’ll need it to log in.
9. Log in to your new blog and start to tweak!

Connected Women

If you’re a woman, and you do have to be one to join, then pop over to Connected Women.  It’s a place where women can gain support, advice and share ideas on business and entrepreneurship.

The site is growing and shows a lot of promise so sign up and show your support.  One of the best features is ‘I need help with‘ - a list where you can ask for help and members help.  It’s a fantastic way to make connections and help someone out too!

10 Reasons Why Your Business Needs A Good Website

1. It advertises your products or services all day, every day.
2. Potential customers can check you out from home.
3. You can reach a bigger audience for your products or services.
4. It shows people you are serious about your business and you keep ahead with technology.
5. You can inform new and previous customer of special offers etc. without heavy postage costs.
6. You can gain precious marketing data – the all important e-mail address – by offering a free newsletter from your site.
7. It looks professional on business cards especially if your e-mail address matches your website domain name (that’s the ‘.co.uk’ bit).
8. If you sell goods then an e-commerce website allows you to sell online to the worldwide market.
9. It creates a good ‘brand’ for your business, especially if the website is designed to compliment your current business literature such as business cards and brochures.
10. Your competitors already have one!