Well, I am coming up on my birthday again. It seems like I just had one, but time flies when you are having fun!
I look at my past year as a real estate virtual assistant and cannot believe all that I have accomplished! I finished my first ebook - The Real Estate Virtual Assistant Handbook, which was a major accomplishment of mine and I am very proud of it and what it has to offer today's virtual assistant who would like to add real estate services to their portfolio.
And, with it being my birthday - I thought I would celebrate by offering The Real Estate Virtual Assistant Handbook for the lowest price ever - $69.00! Now that is a sweet price! And, to make my gift to you even sweeter I am offering my Business Organizer for FREE! This is my way of saying thanks and I know that you will find this added value of $29.99 to be a huge benefit to your business!
You owe it to yourself to be the best in your field and in order to be your best you need to be organized! My Business Organizer not only helps you stay organized, but is a great tool to have in case of an emergency!
But, this SWEET offer is only available for a short time, so rush over and purchase The Real Estate Virtual Assistant Handbook TODAY and get my free bonus gift!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Another Year! Special Offer
Friday, May 23, 2008
Online Reputation Management Guide
No matter what type of business you are in there is always going to be someone talking about you and what you have to offer. That is just the way life is in the business world. This could be a good thing and then again it could be a bad thing. With more and more people looking to the Internet for information about the services they need they might come across negative information.
You need to always stay a step ahead and be aware of what is being said about you.
In my research I came across a website that you might be interested in or at least bookmark for future reference. It is worth your time to take a look and at least be aware of what you can do in the event someone says negative things about you or your business.
As a real estate virtual assistant and one that is well known in the industry I am always making sure that I represent the virtual assistant industry with a positive image and with the utmost integrity.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
IREAA Teleseminar for May 2008 - Transaction Coordination
Transaction Coordination
Wednesday, May 21st ~ 12pm Pacific/1pm Mountain/2pm Central/3pm Eastern
________________________________________
Join Cindy Pree of Kulshan Group
on May 21, 2008 as she leads a Discussion on
Transaction Coordination
Cindi Pree has worked virtually for more than 20 years (although without benefits of technology in the beginning!). She has focused on real estate support for several years and exclusively on Transaction Coordination (and listing management for the TC clients) for 5 years. Cindi and her team have closed more than 500 transactions, totaling over $90 million in gross property sales. This class will give an overview of TC, discuss the important skill set and tools for this work, and give plenty of time for Q&A.
This is a free teleclass.
Membership is not required to participate.
Click here to register now!
(Please include your name, company name and contact info.)
P.S. If you have an in-depth knowledge and experience in one or two aspects of the real estate assisting industry and would like to be a guest expert for an upcoming IREAA Tele-Seminar, please let us know. You can send an email to info@ireaa.com.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
OIVAC Seminar - Real Estate Virtual Assistant
I have been invited to join OIVAC for the 3rd Annual Online International Virtual Assistants Convention. Come and join me at 10:30 EST TODAY!
OIVAC Seminar Schedule
3rd Annual Online International Virtual Assistant's Convention ("OIVAC") is a virtual trade show and educational opportunity conducted 100% online through easy to use web conferencing technology. This year's theme, "Pathways to Successful VA Practices: Using Communication & Technology to Enhance Business" highlights various communication and technology resources Virtual Assistants and their clients use to enhance productivity and reduce costs.
The OIVAC also offers participants timely training, informative workshops, motivating seminars, business showcases and casual networking sessions, along with an exhibitor hall and virtual trade show booths -- all open around the clock and accessible from your desktop or laptop computer. This "live" yet virtual environment can be experienced from the comfort of your own home via any Internet connected computer. Imagine attending an industry leading event with no travel/airport hassles, hotel and other bills, fatigue or exorbitant registration fees? Most importantly - learn from industry leaders with no precious time away from your home, family or business!
Friday, May 16, 2008
When Your Reputation Is Questioned
The Internet has become a powerful tool in gathering information about anything you want to know, but it has also become a tool for people to use to try to harm a persons intregity as well. It is amazing how one person can sabotage another just based on their anothers opinion or without checking out the facts.
When reading negative things on the Internet, remember these are individuals who hide behind the Internet and feel they are above approach.
I am all for freedom of speech, but use that freedom carefully and before you use your freedom to voice an opinion make sure you have all the facts and documentation to back it up with. If not, you can put yourself in a situation where the damage can turn on you.
Gossip is a form of jealously, in my opinion, and most people thrive on the negative over the positive.
As virtual assistants all we have is our reputation and when someone tries to tarnish that reputation it is a result of one or two things, jealously or envy.
I have been a virtual assistant for over 9 years and I have seen the good and the bad and the one thing I have learned is to always be honest, which is why I have an amazing group of virtual assistants who respect me for what I have done for the virtual assistant and the real estate virtual assistant industry. Not to mention the clients I have had the pleasure of working with and continue to have their respect.
If anyone wants to question my integrity I invite them to contact me personally to discuss my work ethics, honesty or my reputation. Feel free to request my long list of wonderful recommendations. I would be happy to hear from you.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Workshop Date Set - Incredible Referral Marketing Program
I have announced that Send Out Cards is an incredible referral marketing system and I love the fact that I can send a card to ANYONE by just logging into my account www.sendoutcards.com/43114 and create a card to be mailed through the USPS in about 5 minutes or less. It is GREAT and saves me time.
But, the other side of this incredible program is I can run it for my clients to stay in touch with their contacts, friends and family. They love it!
Another cool thing about this program is it allows me to receive an income in addition to my normal income and that is pretty darn impressive!
I would like to invite anyone that is interested in creating a powerful contact campaign with their clients, stay in touch with family and friends as well as earn an additional income to join me on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM CST to learn more about this awesome program.
Drop me an email - Kim@KimHughes.com and RSVP NOW! Space is very limited, so don't delay.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Find Low Gas Prices In Your Area!
If you're trying to cut your gas expense, this site my help.
Just enter your zip code in the site below and it tells you which gas stations have the lowest and the highest gas prices in your zip code. It will even give you a map to show where they are.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Working Smarter - Not Harder!
Everywhere we turn today we are hearing about a negative economy. Gas prices are soaring, groceries are outrageous, prescriptions - well need I say more?
If you find that your company is downsizing - AGAIN and your future is insecure then you might want to look at the virtual assistant industry. We are growing stronger everyday. Take a look at the positives of a virtual assistant.
1. Being able to stay home and raise your family the way you see fit, not someone else. Right here you are saving money by not giving to your child care provider.
2. Save money on gas and maintenance on your vechicle - I cannot tell you how much money I save each week just in this area. Today gas prices in Mineola, Texas is $3.45 per galloon. By working from home you only need to use your car for running errands, take the kids to school and for pleasure. Not to mention doing your part in saving the environment!
3. Time Management - You will save at least 2 hours a day by working from home. What can you do with 2 additional hours per day?
4. Being self-employed is SECURITY - never having to wonder if you are going to get that pink slip. You are in control of your destiny.
I could go on with all the benefits of becoming a virtual assistant, but you get the point. This industry not only provides you with a secure future, but also allows you to run your life the way you see fit.
Even if you have never had your own business, it is not hard to set up as long as you have the right attitude, skills, knowledge and desire. The key is to look for those that are successful in their virtual assistant business and then model your business with the same principals.
Are you ready to take the next step in achieving your goals? Let me know - I would love to hear from you. Kim@KimHughes.com
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Send Out Cards - Let Them Know You Are Thinking Of Them!
Send Out Cards is a wonderful way to send a card to someone special for any occassion without ever having to leave your home or office.
I was always forgetting to send a birthday card, Christmas cards, special day and thank you cards until I found Send Out Cards. Now, I just take 5 minutes, log into my account pick that special card, write my message, complete the information for mailing and BOOM! DONE!
In addition to being a wonderful greeting card system, Send Out Cards can also be used to build your business. To see how Send Out Cards works as an incredible referral-generation system for both you and your clients, check out the Referral Movie link below.
Send Out Cards - Send a card TODAY!
You might be interested to know that being a Send Out Cards distributor can provide a powerful income-generating opportunity that will blend well with your VA business and personal life. By helping your clients, friends, and family also benefit from the power of Send Out Cards, you will make money. Visit www.IncredibleReferralMarketing.com to see how the card system and referral strategies work, then contact me directly for more specific information or to get started.”
Send me an email and let's schedule a time to show you how this amazing program works!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Save Time - Use Trailfire
Do you find yourself spending alot of time sorting through the searches you come up with while surfing the Internet? You normally stay within the first 2-3 pages - if that - But, you just don't want to take the time or don't have the time to continue searching so you go with what comes up on the first couple of pages.
Well, Trailfire rewires the web to your interests. It guides you as you browse, suggesting where you can find information related to any page you're on at anytime. It also lets you make your own connections on the web - to link pages that relate to a topic from your own point of view.
At its heart, Trailfire is a community of people helping each other cut through the clutter on the web. By empowering individuals to distill the web, drawing on their knowledge and adding their opinions, Trailfire creates a web of meaning.
The basic building block of Trailfire is the trail - a collection of web pages on a subject or concept, hand built and annotated by a trail creator (we call them "guides") on each page. Trails run the gamut from practical to evangelical to whimsical.
From there, Trailfire's proprietary technology mines every page in a trail to develop an understanding of the concepts on it. It uses this expertise to match each individual's interests to the other trails that are most relevant.
It has saved me time and I hope it will do the same for you!
Monday, April 07, 2008
Rate Your Customer Service
I had an interesting conversation tonight with a gentleman, probably in his late 70's. Mr. Barnes comes to all my son's baseball games. He does not come just to watch my son, but to watch all the boy's play. He is a true Mineola Yellow Jacket baseball fan. He loves to share stories of his past and bless his heart - sometimes tells us the same story, but we listen with care.
Anyway, tonight he was upset with a local merchant and as he told me the story I thought the only problem with this merchant was they do not know customer service.
One thing I offer each one of my client's is my full attention and it is my goal to ensure the client is happy - at no cost! Yes, there are times you just have to say - I have done my best! And if you can honestly say this and you still cannot make the customer happy, then you need to find an alternative solution. Because your reputation is on the line and you need to keep it clean you might offer to find another vitual assistant to work with them or send them the names and let them do the work in finding the best person to fit their needs.
This is one of the first things I cover in my coaching program and as I tell my client, customer service is not like it use to be in the past and it is something that can really set you apart from the rest, so no matter what services you offer your client it is important that you offer the best customer service possible.
One thing I am very proud of is my clients appreciate my caring attitude and tell me constantly that they appreciate my goal is to make sure they are 100% happy with my service, if not more. If they are not, I tell them to let me know and we will work together to make sure all the expectations are meet.
In today's world you do not see the vendor, merchant, etc taking those couple of minutes to say "how can I help you?" Most of the time they ignore you and feel you are a waste of time. Therefore, when building your virtual assistant business make sure you give the customer what they want, with a smile on your face and in your heart! By doing this you are making a name for yourself, because you are offering something that is not seen in the real world very much anymore.
Real Estate Calculator
I am always looking for products to enhance my real estate clients websites. Even though I do not design websites, I do maintain many real estate template websites such as Number 1 Expert, Advanced Access, Agent Image, Real Pro Systems, etc. I also maintain and write articles for my clients blog. The below website offers a cool little gadget for your real estate client or mortgage broker client. This can go on their website and their blog.
Real Estate Calculator
Check it out to see if your real estate clients would be interested in using it.
And, if your client is looking to create a customized website, please let me know. I have a guy that is great, creative, patient and is Google SEO Certified!
Have a great week.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Latest In Search Engines
Ok, this is pretty cool. Go to www.searchme.com and sign up to use the beta version of this very neat way to search the Internet.
It is a virtual search engine and from what I hear from those in the know this is the new way to search the web.
It has played havoc on my website - www.kimhughes.com - I am not even in the top 20 even though I have bee in the #2 spot on Google, MSN, Yahoo, etc for over 3 years now. But, I have my web designer and SEO expert on the job to get me ranked higher.
Check it out - it reminds me of the screen that is similar to the iPhone. :D
Make it a great weekend!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
IRS - March 29, 2008 A Day To Get The Help You Need
I don't know about anyone else, but my son who is 21 and for the first time filing a tax return on his own is very excited to know that when he files his 2007 tax return this will make him eligible to receive the $600.00 check from the government. With him returning to college after taking a year off "to find himself" he sure will need it. Not to mention the IRS Tax Refund check he will receive from his tax return. He is very excited and I think it really has helped him to do all this on his own - He is getting a dose of what it is like to be an adult and responsibilites this title holds. LOL!
If you are like him not knowing which return to use, not knowing what deductions to take, etc., then are you in for a treat!
The IRS has set aside March 29th "Super Saturday" just for you! You can get the help you need - finally.
There will be approximately 320 IRS offices providing FREE help in preparing a simple 1040A for those who are filing solely to receive their stimulus payment.
Even IRS partners will be opening their doors to offer you FREE help as well.
If you are a new virtual assistant or small business owner and do not have the resources to have a CPA do your tax return then you should take advantage of this offer and let the IRS help you to determine which form is right for you, what deductions you can take, etc.
My first year of business as a real estate virtual assistant I hired H&R Block to help me and it really paid off. Now, I have a bookkeeper and a CPA to make sure my finances are in order and IRS approved.
You can get more information on Super Saturday at http://www.irs.gov/. - These are your tax dollars at work - so take advantage of it or if you know someone that needs help tell them!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Be Your Best As A Real Estate Virtual Assistant
Are you sitting there wondering what you can do to improve your business as a real estate virtual assistant?
The first thing to do is look at your client base. Are you offering them the best services as possible? Review your clients programs to make sure you are using everything possible that program offers and let your client know what you are doing.
Whether you are a virtual assistant or a real estate virtual assistant you should have your clients using all the FREE programs possible. Here are some of those programs your real estate clients should be taking advantage of - right now!
Point 2 Agent- This program offers a FREE standard site. You can create a home page, etc., but the cool thing about the program is your real estate client can advertise their properties for free - unless a paying real estate agent has purchased the neighborhood.
You can do handshakes with other agents so their listings show up on your clients site.
As a virtual assistant specializing in real estate this is a tool that your clients will love and their sellers will appreciate the additional exposure.
Postlets - This program is free as well. As a virtual assistant you can create a flyer - so to speak - for your real estate agents listings and then submit it for free to various real estate submission sites - such as Trulia, Google Base, Zillow, Oodle, Backpage, Vast, Hot Pads, Kijiji and most important - Craigslist.
You can also take the mini postlets - shown below and add to the real estate client's newsletter, blog, etc.
As a real estate virtual assistant you can also set up and monitor your real estate agents blog. Blogger is a free program and so is Word Press.
As a virtual assistant, if you don't have a blog - you should, so when you have time - post a blog on your business.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Have You Signed Up For Earth Hour!
On March 29, 2008 at 8:00 PM you can be involved in taking a stand against the greatest threat our planet has ever faced – global warming.
Get involved in this world-wide event by turning off ALL your lights for one hour. This means turn off everything! Computers, modems, monitors, outside lights, inside lights, etc.
Get your community or business involved – you could make a huge difference and at the same time be part of something we all agree on. Just think when you turn off your lights someone in Melbourne is doing the same thing. If you think about it – that is kind of cool!
At this writing over 12,000 businesses are involved.
At this writing over 189,456 individuals are involved.
Sign up NOW!Want to learn more about Earth Hour?
Want more information - go to http://www.earthhour.org/.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Are You Going Green?
As research has shown we have a small window to make a difference and we need to act now. We live in a society that does not look into the future, we live in the present. This is a known fact. So, if we are a society that does indeed in live the present, then we need to challenge ourselves to begin looking into the future, if not for us but for our children and our children’s children.
By just making a few changes in our life style we can each make a difference and if each one of us just choose one or two things to help the global warming problem can you imagine what a difference we can make together? HUGE! So, take a few minutes to visit the following links to see how you and your family can begin the process of Going Green.
By teaching the children of today, they will develop compassion to make it a priority to keep our earth safe for future generations.
Interesting fact:
Virtual Assistants are going green everyday! How do we do this?
We do not pollute our air with carbon monoxide
Spend money on gas commuting
Save trees by using electronic files as opposed to paper files
Use artificial lighting
Use recycled materials
Travel is not expected
Little did we know that we were already helping our precious environment by going Virtual!
Visit the following links on more information on global warming and to learn how to GO GREEN!
Global Warming
Fight Global Warming
The Day After Tomorrow
How To Go Green
10 Tips To Go Green
10 Way to Go Green at Work
Go Green Program for the workplace
iGo GreenGo Green Shopping
GMC Goes Green
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
It's a Great Time To Be a Virtual Assistant
When you listen to the news lately all they talk about is how bad our economy is right now. They always want to make everything sound so bleak.
I am hear to tell you, being a virtual assistant now is the best time! Those companies that are downsizing still need assistance and when they work with a virtual assistant their overhead drops and so do their expenses.
If you are considering the virtual assistant industry as a career you would be smart to get going now. On an average it takes 12 months to launch your business, land the clients and to get established.
The start up costs is minimal and rewards are wonderful!
This afternoon, I left my office at 2:30 to go watch my boy's (16 and 17) play their first district baseball game. I had my day planner and PDA in hand. Checked the PDA in-between innings and was there in mind, body and soul to cheer my kids on to a 13-1 win! Go Jackets!
