Volume 2
Issue 6
June 2007

What's Inside?

• Michelle's Musings
• What's Up with TVN?
• Multiple Steams of Income
• Upcoming Events
• Marketplace
• Resources

What's The Vision?

The Vision is the monthly ezine published by The Virtual Nation™. Our monthly ezine is packed full of complimentary resources, tips and trends for the savvy Virtual Professional. Check out our past ezine editions.

The Virtual Nation™ (TVN) is an educational destination for Virtual Professionals from the world over. As an education-based community, it is important to learn about cutting edge technologies, the latest trends and ways to hold on to the passion and motivation that started you on the path of being a virtual professional in the first place.

Dear Friend,

You are receiving this ezine because you subscribed on our website or purchased one of our products or services. If you've received this ezine from a friend, don't forget to sign up for this ezine on our website. We changed ezine delivery company several months ago, so you may need to sign up again at http://www.profcs.com/app/join.asp?merchantid=96717

Michelle's Musings

I am still very excited about flying wtih my husband, Lee. We decided to take our first family trip last weekend. We were very brave to take two sulky teenage girls on a one-hour flight to Half Moon Bay (south of San Francisco), CA.

I rode in the back seat with my youngest on the way there since she tends to get motion sickness the most. She was okay doing her own thing until we hit some turbulence, then she had to hold my hand
(I can't remember the last time she actually wanted to do that!)

As we approached a higher altitude, the air was calmer and we began to see some interesting landscapes that distracted our minds from the motion sickness. The best part of the trip was flying high over the Golden Gate Bridge.

The trip actually reminds me of being in business for myself (that's about the only way I relate to things now--through my business.) We got off to an exciting start and flew high up into the air before we knew it; we were just cruising along. Then, all of a sudden, we entered some airspace with pockets of turbulence. The turbulence can surprise you if you aren't prepared for it. Just like in business...if you aren't prepared for the bumps, you're concentration may be thrown off, you don't know which way is up and you can even lose your excitement super fast.

My daughter did the right thing when she was scared. She reached out her hand (almost as big as mine now) and grabbed mine for comfort and reassurance. We can and MUST do the same thing when we are unsure about ourselves, our business and to help us stay on course.

Just like flying, keep these tips in mind when running your business:

• It's natural to be excited and get off to a big start.
• When you're cruising along, be sure to implement systems and procedures for the rocky times that may creep up when you least expect it.
• When you do come across those bumps, dips, and turbulence, make sure you have someone to lean on for support, hold your hand, or just to talk with.
• Remember to 'Keep Moving!' Even if you just take one step at a time, you'll get back in the swing of things and before you know it, you'll be flying smoothly again.
  

What's Up with TVN?

Coaching New Virtual Assistants

Does the thought of talking to prospective clients have your stomach fluttering with butterflies? We've launched a brand new coaching program. Our next two 6-week programs: Mondays at 10:30 am Pacific and Thursdays at 9:00 am Pacific. Each class has a maximum capacity of 20 people, so register early to reserve your spot before it's gone.

"When I conducted my presentations [last week] I was armed with information (thanks to your class and fellow TVN classmates) and was ready to walk if we could not negotiate a win-win situation.  Each [client] has paid me what I want and under the terms that I wanted.  Your class helped me to build the confidence I needed, and the encouragement from fellow classmates at The Virtual Nation gave me the courage I needed to see it through."

Rose G. Cole
Cole Connection
Real Estate Transaction Coordinator

Coaching Club Opportunity

Were you one of the twenty ladies who coached with me a few weeks ago? Do you feel like you could use a refresher, or need additional coaching, but don't want to commit to weekly coaching? Now you have the opportunity to participate in our coaching club. It's the next step after completion of the 6-week coaching class.

Here's what we're offering for only $17/month. That's about the cost of four mochas at Starbuck's or four Jamba Juice drinks. What's more important? Coffee, juice or getting your business off the ground?

• 2 one-hour coaching sessions per month
• Group coaching setting by teleclass
• Special guest speakers
• Special TVN forum for further discussion and collaboration
• Unlimited email coaching
• Sessions may include:
  • Creating and Managing the Virtual Office
  • Marketing Yourself as a Virtual Assistant
  • Goal setting and Accountability
  • Tools for Becoming a Successful VA
  • Brainstorming for new ideas, services, and products
  • and much more

Community College Opportunities for Virtual Assistants

I am very excited to be teaching my first online class, Creating and Managing a Virtual Office. Class starts this fall semester on August 20, 2007 and runs through December 21, 2007. If you are interested and want to learn more about the class or are considering taking it, please check it out at www.shastacollege.edu.

• Click on 'Schedule of Classes' near the bottom of the home page
• Click on the General Information graphic on the right
• Search for Courses on the right
• Select Fall 2007 Term
• Under 'Subjects' input Office Administration
• Submit
• My class number is OAS-30-F7051 (it's 100% online, too!)
• To register, go back to the home page

I am still working on all of my lessons, but in the next week, I will have my web page up and more details. In the meantime, here are just a few of the topics I'll be covering.

• Evolution of the Virtual Office
• Working for yourself
• Assessing skills and work habits
• Personal and business life
• Virtual office technologies
• Communication tools and techniques
• Business ethics
  

Products to Help You Help Your Clients The Virtual Nation™ products are designed to help you become more productive, efficient and get you and/or your client's noticed! Article Submission Directory with over 600+ sites $29.95 NEW Product: Teleclass and Event Submission Directory with 50+ sites $17 To be Released Soon - Press Release and Media Submission Directory, including tabs for each state (United States) and some international listings.

 

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Featured Article: Take Your Business to the Next Level with Multiple Streams of Income
By Stephanie Chandler

If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you aren’t satisfied with letting your business sit in idle mode for long. You want it to continue to grow and reach the level of success that you’ve been dreaming about. Well here’s you chance to light a fire under your company’s success.

It seems that everyone is talking about how to generate multiple streams of income, and they’re talking about it for a reason—it works. While a business may be able to run with a few products and services for awhile, it is the introduction of new products and services that expands the bottom line.

To get a better idea of how multiple income streams can propel a business to new heights, take a look at some of the biggest success stories.

Yahoo! got its start in 1994 in a Stanford University campus trailer as “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web.” Founders David Filo and Jerry Yang, PhD, began keeping track of websites they liked. Soon hundreds of visitors were logging on and the duo realized they had a business in the making.

After incorporating in 1995 and taking the company public in 1996, Yahoo! has grown to reach over 345 million individuals. The long list of services offered include web hosting, e-mail, personals ads, yellow pages, maps, instant messenger, a shopping network, and dozens of other services. Many of Yahoo’s services are offered for free and revenues are generated from upgrades to premium services, advertising, alliances with other businesses, and the introduction of new services.

Starbucks is a favorite destination for coffee lovers, and the passion for a good cup of java was the foundation for this hot company that began in 1971 as a small shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Once established, Starbucks began adding new products, like the signature Frappucino, to reel in customers. Patrons can also purchase fresh beans, mugs, candy, coffee brewing equipment, gift cards, and music CDs, or indulge in the one of the tasty ice cream flavors from the new retail product line. There are currently 4593 company-owned locations and an additional 2158 licensed Starbucks locations, proving that thoughtfully planned revenue streams can catapult a company into phenomenal success.

eBay began in 1995 as a forum for swapping Pez dispensers and has morphed into an on-line giant reaching more than 135 million users. To achieve its record growth, the company expanded its product categories to include everything from office supplies, sports memorabilia, and music to real estate, automobiles, and concert tickets. More than 1.4 billion items were listed for sale in 2004. Acquisitions of PayPal, an online payment processing service, eLance, a directory of freelance service providers, and several other companies have also helped eBay grow in record proportions. Ebay has sites in more than twenty countries, serves up a popular storefront program, hosts user conferences, and continues to grow the customer base through an affiliates program.

Home Depot crafted its niche by offering customers a large variety of products when the doors opened in 1978. Now over 1800 stores strong and with a selection of over 40,000 building materials and lawn and garden products, the home improvement giant has expanded its offerings to include installation services, how-to workshops, home delivery, tool rental, truck rental, and a popular series of books.

A Call to Action
So how can a small operation achieve even a fraction of the success experienced by the big companies? By emulating their business models.

If sales are flat or simply not growing fast enough at your company, consider how you can build on the foundation. Ask yourself these questions:

*What products or services would my existing customer base like to see?
*What products or services could lure in new clients?
*What products or services are being offered by my competitors?
*How can I implement my new offerings?
*How will the new offerings affect my bottom line?

Here are ten ideas to consider:

1. Offer consulting services in your area of expertise.
2. Add a new line of products.
3. Form an alliance with another business.
4. Sell advertising on your website, in your e-zine or at your place of business.
5. Launch a second business that is complimentary to your primary business.
6. Offer new services and outsource them to contractors.
7. Create a subscription-based offering such as a newsletter or mentor program.
8. Create your own products for resale.
9. Train others to run a business likes yours.  
10. Publish books, e-books or other information products.

Not only can the introduction of a new product or service increase your bottom line, but it can boost exposure for your business. Since most people need to be exposed to a product or service at least eight times before they pull out their wallets and buy, your business needs to be seen everywhere. New products and services mean new methods of advertising and the potential to expand your customer base.

Implementing a new revenue strategy is not the only way to grow a business. You need careful planning, capital, and a good marketing plan. Even the biggest companies started out small so with a little ingenuity and some careful planning, your business could be the next success story.

About the Author

Article reprinted with permission.

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Upcoming Events

Expert Teleclass Series

Tuesday, July 17, 2007
10:00 am PST - 11:00 am PST

"From Entrepreneur to Infopreneur"

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Marketplace

One of our new members, Kate LaFrance, submitted her banner ad for this month's Marketplace feature. You can check out her website at www.helpvirtual.biz.

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Would you like to have a banner ad or classified (text only) ad in our ezine? You can have up to a 50-word ad with live links. Discounts available for multiple insertions.

Check out our full line of advertising options.

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Resources

Get $25 Off your first order from PrintingForLess.com

Tired of paying too much and waiting too long to print your advertising materials? We were too! Then we discovered PrintingForLess.com:

• Up to 50% cheaper than offline commercial printers

• Instant online pricing for over 20 product types, including postcards, brochures, business cards, catalogs, stationery, presentation folders and much moreOnline proofingAcceptance of almost of ANY file type imaginableIndustry-leading customer service from graphics professionals

• Industry-leading Heidelberg presses produce the highest quality four-color printing of your promotional materials

TVN has a lot of other incredible resources to choose from. If you are in need of forms, templates, information on starting a business in California, where to go to find great books, printers, and more, it's all on the website. Click here to have a look.

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Advertising Disclaimer:
The Virtual Nation™ does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any of the paid advertisements above or the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any ad. You are responsible for handling your own due diligence before purchasing any product or service.

Thank You for Joining Me!

**IMPORTANT**
You are receiving this ezine because you subscribed on our website or purchased one of our products or services. If you've received this ezine from a friend, don't forget to sign up for this ezine on our website. We changed ezine delivery company several months ago, so you may need to sign up again at http://www.profcs.com/app/join.asp?merchantid=96717

With Gratitude,

Michelle Ulrich

Want to share your gratitude? Mosey on over to the Gratitude Club and check it out.