Visions Virtual Assistance Blog

About a third of my inquires lately have been by people wanting me to teach them Wordpress so that they can maintain – and even customize – their own sites. Makes sense. Most people create blog sites because you want control. You’re tired of being held hostage by a web designer who’s too busy to make a 15 minute change at the time you want it changed.

Before you can customize a theme, you need to know HTML. The best HTML tutorial I found is Dave’s Site. Scroll down to the Basic Tutorial Mini-Chapters and begin. At the end of the tutorials I promise that you will have a good understanding of HTML.

Dave also has CSS tutorials too. Don’t worry about those just yet. Just get the HTML down.

• голова болит секс

Knowing HTML will also help you with formatting your pages. You will be able to fix formatting issues using the HTML editor because we all know that the Visual editor doesn’t always fix the problem.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your RSS reader.

If you are a user of Skype, then you probably know there are hidden emoticons. Here is the emoticon code for all 9, plus the code for the US and Canada flags.

(poolparty)
(swear)
(bug)
(fubar)
(tmi)

(mooning)

(finger) голова болит секс
(bandit)

(drunk) голова болит секс
(smoking) (smoke) (ci)
(toivo)
голова болит секс
(rock)
(headbang) (banghead)
(flag:US)
(flag:CA)

– Imagine going to your Wordpress site and finding that part of it is gone. Either there are no posts, or your pages have disappeared. Would you know what to do?

Recently I learned a very important lesson about Wordpress when not one, but two, people I work with lost part of their blogs. As far as I can tell, their databases somehow corrupted leaving one woman with no blog posts and the other with no pages. Because we took the appropriate steps both blogs were fully restored.

Would you know what to do if this happened to you?

Let’s back up a minute so I can explain what I am talking about. Wordpress runs on a database.  A database is information placed in tables so that it can be retrieved easily when Wordpress calls for it to be loaded onto a web page. Someplace in MyPhpAdmin-land is where your database lives. Many hosting companies allow you direct access to your database. Most of us have never gone to MyPhpAdmin-land – and never will. We just post our blogs the way we always did, confident that the universe is doing what it’s supposed to be doing. голова болит секс

For most of us this cozy little world we live in will never, ever change. But, every once in a while something happens to that database. It could be a Wordpress version update that breaks the database, it could be a plug-in conflict. Most times we will never know the reason it happened. We will just wake up one morning to find out that our posts or pages (or worse, our posts and pages!) are gone.

Tips to Survive a Database Malfunction

1. Stay calm. Accept the fact that technology malfunctions. There’s probably nothing you could have done to prevent this from happening. And freaking out doesn’t get your blog back.

2. Become proactive. Make sure your database is being backed up on a regular basis. I use a plug-in called WP-DBManager. This plug-in backs up your database on a regular schedule that you pre-determine. You should back up as often as you post. If you post weekly, then you want to back up weekly, etc.

This plug-in will also optimize your database. Each time Wordpress calls for information, there’s a good chance that it won’t be put back in the right order. Just like you need to “defrag” your computer, your database needs defragging also.

3. Find out if your host backs up your database and what you need to do to ensure that they do it. Also ask them if there is a charge to restore the database in the event of a catastrophe.

In both cases above the hosts had backups. The first host only backed up monthly and discarded old backups. They also charged $100 to do the restore. The second host didn’t automatically back up databases. I had to go in to the control panel and tick a box that asked for the database to be backed up. But in a time of crisis, they had several restore points available and I was able to do it myself with, again, a tick of a box.

download Kiss the Girls

4. Go to your blog often. In one of the cases above, the site was down a while before we knew that her pages were gone. It was less than a week but it may have been more than a few days. How long can you go with your site down?

download Conjurer

5. If you find out you didn’t have a back up system in place, you can try using Google Cache or the Way Back Machine to see if they have copies of your old pages. I’ve used that method in the past to find old things I’ve deleted then changed my mind and decided I wanted.

6. This may not be the best alternative but if you want to be super-sure that you have backups, you can keep copies of all your posts and pages in Word documents and store them on your own file back up system.

I’ve decided to join Jeff Herring’s “100 articles in 100 days” challenge. If you haven’t heard about it, here’s his Ning group http://100articles100days.ning.com/.  The hash tag is #hahd (for hundred articles/hundred days).

The rules are simply to write 100 articles between now and July 1st and then submit them to Ezine Articles http://www.ezinearticles.com. Some have asked if there is a prize. There isn’t a prize from Jeff Herring, but there is a natural prize – increased web traffic to your site.

Each of my articles will also be posted here on this blog so my faithful readers will not have to go anywhere else to read them.

Imagine what you could do with your business if you had 100 articles to work with? You could bundle them into an ebook. You could make them into teleseminars. You could turn one or two into white papers and give them away free to your subscribers.

So, how does one begin writing 100 articles in 100 days? Well, you could begin by repurposing what you already have. If you have old newsletters, teleseminars, parts of an ebook, old blog posts, anything that you’ve written, you can turn those into an article and it will count.

You can use search.twitter.com to find out what people are talking about for inspiration on what to write about. Just type in your keywords and all the current conversations will pop up.

So what’s the difference between an article and a blog post? Well, a blog post is typically 350-500 words long while an article can be 750 words long. But I think it’s more than just the length. A blog post can come off the top of your head. And it’s written in a more informal manner. An article usually involves research on the topic you are writing about.

If you decide to join the challenge, please comment here so I can subscribe to your blog.

Someone shared this image on Twitter this morning. I wanted to share it with you because although it was meant as a joke, as with most jokes, it’s based on fact. In a traditional office, how much time is wasted talking or playing on the computer? Sheesh, in your home office how much time do you waste talking and playing on the computer? When we work from home we only get paid for actual work done, yet you have to eat.

It’s all about balance – and being honest with yourself. Are you working towards turning your fantasies into reality or are you just dreaming? Are you chatting with buddies or are you networking? There’s a difference. Not that chatting is a bad thing. Just be aware of the time you spend chatting vs the time spent networking.

порно с сестрами тейлор

Shelly from www.brassblogs.com shared this bit of info on a Ning group that I am on. I thought it was important enough information that I wanted to share it with you guys.

Shelly says…

The latest release (2.7 at this writing) has many security upgrades. And if that doesn’t concern you, then maybe Google blocking your site will. (Because they will.)

Starting several months ago, Google started going through the blogs they index. They found that any installations older than version 2.3.3 were subject to a TON of injection/spam/hacking attacks. (If you didn’t know, if someone hacks your site, and you’re on a shared server, you are compromising *everyone* on that server – not just you.) So they began issuing a warning that most browsers pick up, where if someone visits your site, instead of seeing the blog, you get a page with a big red banner that says something about the site having been a source of bad content that’s harmful to your computer, and you cannot get around it. In the last 4 months, I’ve had to “fix” 4 client sites due to this very issue. You have to go through a process (usually a few days, but I had one case that took 6 weeks) to get your site back up and running again.

I’m not kidding about this either. It’s not meant to scare you, it’s just a fact that you should be aware of. The security releases on any blogging platform (not just WordPress) are, indeed, very important.

If your WP installation is older than 2.3.3 it’s definitely time to upgrade. And don’t worry – you don’t *have* to upgrade every time there’s a release. WordPress puts out a new version about once a year. They are *constantly* trying to improve it (I currently have version 2.8 from the subversion repository – they began work on it last month.) The little releases in between each one – read your dashboard. Many are just bugfixes or aesthetic improvements. You don’t have to install them. However when they release a *security* fix – THAT is the one you need to pay attention to.

Now quick, go check to see what version Wordpress you are using.

Mark your calendar for our very first FREE monthly teleseminar. This month’s call is “Twitter 101: Getting Started With Twitter”. We will cover the basics of using Twitter and answer such questions as, “How do I reply to someone?” or “How do I know what someone is talking about when there are so many people talking at once?”

This call is for anyone who wants to know the basics of using Twitter.

This call is not for anyone who’s been using Twitter and wants to know “secrets” or “tips and tricks”.

For access to this call, sign up here

I will ask be asking you to follow along with your own Twitter account so try to be in front of a computer during this call. If you haven’t signed up for Twitter yet, or if you’ve forgotten your log in details, you will need to have that settled before the call. You can sign up free at http://twitter.com

In the meantime, enjoy this video that explains Twitter in Plain English.

New media marketing is all about writing great content. Great content gets noticed. It gets comments on blogs. It gets people to give up their email address to get more great content. But if Content is King, how does a non-writer compete in this new media marketing world where it’s write or perish?

Sandra Dodd, a great writer, wrote, “Somewhere between writing nothing and being a wealthy professional author, many people write in the middle ground, and others’ lives are changed.” 

Mediocre writing that changes people’s lives can be great content! It’s not about being a writer. In fact, it’s not about me at all. It’s about sharing ideas that change others’ lives that makes great content. Sheesh! Took me long enough to figure that out. 

If you are not a writer, from here on in, forget that you are not a writer and just set out to change lives by giving your readers great information.

Where do you get great information to share? You can start with a Google blog search. Plug in your keywords and see what others are writing about. Then give your take on the subject. You can scour the social networking sites and see what’s being talked about. Then report back to your readers what’s being said. There are lots of places to get inspiration on the internet.

Speaking of what’s being talked about, I read today that there is most likely a time of day when your writing juices flow more easily. Figure out what that time is, and block it off in your day timer each day. For me that time is after midnight when the rest of the world’s asleep. No phone calls, no email, no distractions. I don’t have to block off midnight in my day timer, but I do give myself a little extra time to sleep in the mornings after inspiration hits.

When writing, you have to have an audience. I learned that way back in my college English class and it’s still the same rule today. Know who you are writing to. Have a target market in mind. I’ve written a blog post in the past that shows you how to write as if you were speaking to your favorite client. It makes it so much easier to write naturally when you pretend you are actually speaking to someone. 

You don’t have to write it all in one sitting, either. My college English professor taught me to write something then put it away. Wait a few days, then take it out and you will see what you wrote with fresh eyes. Just don’t chicken out and decide that what you wrote sounds terrible. 

Ok, suppose you do decide that what you wrote sounds terrible. Then it may be time to hire a copy writer. Remember, you are a business and hiring a writer is a business expense. If writing is really agony for you, suck it up and pay a copywriter so you can spend that time making the money to pay her.

Virtual Assistants are Revolutionizing the Way Business Services are Delivered, Everywhere

Author: Frances Palaschuk

The Virtual Assistance Industry Has Experienced Tremendous Growth in 2008; VAs are Revolutionizing the Way Business Services are Delivered, Everywhere.

The Media’s Virtual Assistant Survey found at http://www.vanetworking.com/survey conducted by VAnetworking.com gives us a deeper insight into the virtual assistance industry, which has experienced tremendous growth in 2008. The mysteriousness behind the term virtual assistant has been replaced with intrigue and fascination. To professionals such as speakers, author’s, business coaches and online business owners – having a virtual assistant has become main-stream. Small scale businesses are able to achieve large scale growth and higher sales volumes simply by outsourcing to a virtual assistant. Business Services etc., http://bsetc.ca, a virtual assistant company in Canada was able to increase a clients’ subscribers list by 4,000 and generate $40,000 in sales over the same 4 month time period.

With the shift in the global economy and the pressing environmental issues facing the world, the general consensus is on conserving both money and energy. Not only does the virtual assistance industry contribute to the conservation of both of these global factors but it also allows professionals to leverage people and strengthen systems and resources.

In a localized business environment there may be one person who is responsible for the daily operation of the administration and marketing. What happens when that person is not seeking or given the opportunities to network with peers and enhance their skill sets? It is vital for businesses to be able to assess their options and participate in marketing activities such as social media marketing.

It is customary for a virtual assistant to explore multiple social media and traditional marketing strategies and implement these into their business successfully and those of their clientele. This practice is both extremely cost effective and yields noteworthy results.

The general mindset of a virtual assistant is typically technical in nature. Because they work virtually their whole foundation is built around technology. Every major breakthrough online contributes more and more to their success. The affects of social media tools such as blogs, facebook, and twitter have been profound.

The 3 key areas that have experienced significant growth within the virtual assistance industry in 2008 are:

1. Collaboration/Leadership/Professional Development

Take for example the milestones achieved by the leadership of Tawnya Sutherland at VAnetworking.com, with over 10,000 members worldwide this association reached its fifth year anniversary and won 1st place in the Startup Nation’s Baby Boomers Back in Business award. Providing training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for both new and aspiring virtual assistants.

And as stated by Erin Blaskie of BSetc.ca, “2008 saw the emergence of more multi-VA Teams”. Virtual Assistants that offer clients a “one stop shop” are building solid teams and implementing comprehensive project management strategies that enable them to effectively service multiple clients. Michelle Jamison, founder of MJVA.ca a multi-VA company in Canada has been in business since 1998 and authored a book titled, “The Virtual Assistant’s Guide to the Multi-VA Business” which shares everything Michelle learned and everything one needs to know in order to create a successful and fulfilling multi-VA business.

Seasoned virtual assistants and others who specialize in Internet Marketing are developing niche specific training and coaching packages designed towards educating newcomers to the profession and coaching them to success. Like Mary-Lou Ashton of Virtual Strategies, vatp.ca, who has been a pioneer in the Virtual Assistant profession in Canada since 1997. She provides coaching services to virtual assistants through her coaching business Vision to Action. Also, the VA Coach, TheVACoach.com, Erin Blaskie offers a variety of solutions for new and seasoned virtual assistants in both group and self study training formats. And for those looking for industry specific training in Internet Marketing and Social Media the VAclassroom.com, founded by Craig Cannings offers an affordable and comprehensive certification program.

More and more industry specific Forums and Conferences are presenting hands on development opportunities for virtual assistants. Barbara Lang, of Virtually Anything-Administrative Services, virtuallyAnything.ca, started the Forum On Virtual Assistance (FoVA) in 2008, which presents virtual assistants with the opportunity to exchange ideas and information and gain valuable insight in facilitated discussion groups and workshop formats. This event was so well received that FoVA 2009 is a highly anticipated event within the industry.

2. Tools/Technology

Social Media Marketing and web based collaboration tools and software have totally transformed business. Having the ability to connect real time with such tools as twitter means that we are able to reach out to millions of people. Managing multiple projects with virtual work teams using web based project management systems such as Basecamp, Skype, and a variety of Google tools is a snap. Not to mention how productive and easy it has become to track time across multiple projects and give clients the ability to log in from virtually anywhere to view and pay their invoices seamlessly with tools such as Freshbooks.com. Armed with the knowledge, passion, and desire for success entrepreneurs such as Kathie M. Thomas, an Author, Blogger, Speaker and Virtual Assistant Coach & Trainer, who founded A Clayton’s Secretary, vadirectory.net, in 1994, are able to achieve successes such as gaining a spot on the Top 100 Australian Blogs list. Also, Danielle Guérin owner of VADG, vadg.ca, a fully bilingual (English/French) multi-VA company in Canada, won the Young Self-Employed Worker of Quebec award in the 2008 ARISTA Provincial Competition. This award celebrates Danielle’s talent and accomplishments. The winners were selected based on rigorous criteria and succeeded in impressing the jury with their professional achievements, creative spirit and involvement.

3. Clientele

A variety of people are now outsourcing multiple projects ranging from personal assistance to the management and operations of their entire business. It need not matter if you run a service based company, an actual brink and mortar store, are an entrepreneur, franchisor, or large corporation people are now keenly aware of the benefits that a virtual assistant will bring to their business. Seeking ways to overcome challenges, be innovative, save money, and participate in online collaboration and marketing are the common factors that the majority of clientele share. Like Terry Green owner of Fastype VA Services, Inc., myfastype.com, a full-service multi-VA company with a team of qualified associates specializing in providing quality administrative and executive support to Professional Speakers and Coaches worldwide. Their clients span the globe from across the United States and Canada, to as far away as New Zealand, Antigua and Singapore.

The forecast on the virtual assistant industry for 2009 and beyond is remarkable. With the ongoing commitment, drive, and passion to provide extraordinary customer relations while presenting the best possible options to service their clients, virtual assistants are revolutionizing the way business services are delivered, everywhere.

Quotes:

“The online world is evolving. Being simply a virtual assistant that offers administrative services is no longer enough. With the emergence of social networking and social media marketing, it’s vital to any online business to stay on top of these changes. For the growth of my business, I took the certification course to become a Social Media Specialist. I will achieve the certification in January. It’s not only internet marketers that need this service anymore. Every business, from Realtors to Entrepreneurs to Ebayers will be using Social Marketing to attract business. I heard an interesting quote recently. The Internet is a buyer’s market where sellers aren’t welcome. Sellers need to adapt.” ~ Crystal Pina, VisionsVirtualAssistance.com

“Working virtually is not the future anymore, but an everyday reality that has now taken its rightful place! As a Virtual Assistant and owner of Virtual Managing Associates, working virtually throughout 2008 brought in many developments on a multitude of levels, may they be professional or personal. To some it all up in a few words I would only say: Working on a virtual basis is not only a frame of mind, but also a possibility to offer to your existing customers and associates your undivided attention, and a proactive outlook on the work at hand.” ~ Christiane Jechoux, VirtualManagingAssociates.com.

About the Author:

Frances Palaschuk is an Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant and founder of Ultimate Biz Assistant based in Ottawa, Canada. Frances has an Internet Marketing certification through VAclassroom.com. She specializes in social media marketing through the setup and optimization of WordPress blogs, twitter, facebook and linked. Also, competitive analysis, keyword research and assisting with marketing plan development and deployment.

When you write a blog post you’re kind of hoping that people comment, right? But I know that sometimes life and business get in the way and you can’t always get back to your blog to make sure you are answering your comments in a timely fashion.

Did you know there is a setting in your dashboard that tells Wordpress to notify you when you have a comment – even if your comments are not set to be moderated?

In your dashboard under Settings > Discussion make sure the box is ticked that says, “Email me whenever: Anyone posts a comment.”

That’s it. You’ll never miss a comment again.