December 2009

Do I have to be a virtual assistant first?

by Tina Forsyth on December 28, 2009

For aspiring Online Business Managers… wondering if you need to be a virtual assistant first before you step into the role of Online Business Manager?

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Date: Thursday, January 21st at at 1:00 pacific / 4:00pm eastern

As companies cut back on travel, many are hosting virtual events so that employees and business owners can upgrade their skills from the comforts of home or office. Yet many of these companies have no clue how to plan, organize and launch a virtual event, let alone one that features a multitude of speakers, exhibitors and sponsors. They end up making many mistakes that cost them time, money and their reputation.

As an Online Business Manager, you can manage your client’s online business needs with ease, but what will you do if your client asks you to plan a multi-speaker virtual event? Can your skills as an Online Business Manager transition to planning a multi-speaker virtual event? Join Leesa Barnes, a leading authority on virtual events, as she shares with you how you can help your client plan, promote and make money from multi-speaker virtual events in an exciting new role as a Virtual Event Manager.

What You’ll Learn:

  • The similarities between Online Business Managers & Virtual Event Managers
  • The #1 mindset you already have that will be of benefit to virtual events
  • Why planning a multi-speaker virtual event is much more than booking a conference bridge line
  • How to start offering virtual event management to your clients

Leesa Barnes is President of the Association of Virtual Events Managers, Organizers & Hosts and is a leading authority on using virtual events to become the #1 expert in your niche market. Nominated as one of the Top 50 Most Influential & Powerful Women in Social Media, Leesa helps independent consultants, entrepreneurs and business owners leverage virtual events and other online tools to boost profits. To learn more about Leesa, visit www.virtualeventsuccess.com.

IAOBM Members: You can access the recording for this call in the Member Area. If you are not an IAOBM member yet, find out more about IAOBM Membership Benefits by clicking here: http://www.obmconnect.com/membership-benefits

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Have You Got the Itch for Something Different?

by Tina Forsyth on December 21, 2009

Let me ask you, do you have the itch to do something bigger/better/different with your virtual support business in 2010? You know… that annoying feeling that there is something more out there for you but you don’t know what it is?

At this time of year we can’t help but turn our thoughts to what we would like to change next year. Perhaps you are feeling a bit bored or stuck in your business and want to try something new? Or perhaps you are feeling buried and overwhelmed in your business and need to find a way out of the “too many clients not enough time” trap?

As someone said to me just the other day: “I’ve been doing this virtual assistant thing for a while now, it’s time for something new!”

If you are feeling the itch, I invite you to consider becoming an Online Business Manager. Since releasing my book of the same name in Fall 2008 the demand for OBMs has skyrocketed – I hear from business owners every single week who are eager (sometimes desperate) to find someone to fill this role.

And despite having a group of rockstar OBMs who completed training this year (many of whom have full businesses already), I know the demand is going to continue to grow exponentially in 2010. In fact, I’m setting up some key relationships with business partners to ensure that everyone knows what an Online Business Manager is and why they need one. And we need to have our next group of rockstar OBMs ready to serve them. Which is why we are REALLY excited about the next Online Business Manager Training & Certification program in February. Check out the details at www.certifiedobm.com.

Now I know being an Online Business Manager isn’t for everyone – but if you have an inkling that this might be the next step for you, I’d love to chat (and get you a copy of the book if you don’t have it already). Just hit reply to this email and we’ll set up a time to connect.

Regardless of what route you take, I encourage you to really consider what is next for you and your business. How can you play a bigger game with your clients? How can you continue to enjoy your business AND make a great living? I know too many virtual assistants who work too hard for too little – and end up burnt out and frustrated. That simply sucks, and it doesn’t have to be that way.

Let’s talk, and best of the holidays to you! I hope you are taking some well deserved time off to enjoy with family and friends. I’m in charge of dinner this year, wish me luck. ;)

Tina
Forsyth
 

tina [at]
onlinebusinessmanager.com

877-576-2229

P.S. If you are considering the Online Business Manager Training program be sure to let me know asap, as we have some great early bird discounts still in effect through to the end of December. Just hit reply to this email, look forward to hearing from you!

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Going old school – connecting the old fashioned way

by Tina Forsyth on December 17, 2009

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Date: Wednesday, December 16th at 1:00pm pacific / 4:00pm eastern

Online business owners still aren’t “getting” SEO copywriting. Many consultants still aren’t doing it well. The left hand isn’t talking to the right. What’s going on? Why is this stuff so hard to learn and even harder to execute with success?

When done right, SEO copywriting is a powerful tool for boosting your profile, attracting and supporting clients. When done without understanding of the fundamentals – even when outsourced – SEO copywriting can do more harm than good. In this teleclass, our guest expert Karri Flatla will deconstruct the mythology of SEO copywriting. She will also provide simple, anyone-can-do-it tactics for improving your own web message, your client’s web message and working with the SEO and copywriting professionals who appear to hold all the cards.

Karri Flatla is the principal of snap! virtual associates inc., a coaching-consulting firm specializing in web marketing and copywriting for entrepreneurs. Well known across the web for her take-no-prisoners writing style, Karri’s articles and tips have been featured at Search Engine Guide, the VAnetworking Blog, Fuel Net, Problogger’s TwiTip, and Smart Company Magazine. She is also the author of Alpha WAHM Blueprint: An Empowerment Guide for Work-at-Home Moms (http://alphawahmbook.com). You can read and subscribe to Karri’s Outsmart business blog at http://snap-va.com.

Audio Recording (60 mins) | Click Here for MP3

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How confident are you in your work?

by Tina Forsyth on December 16, 2009

The topic of confidence has come up alot this week in my conversations and classes… in particular the idea of not feeling confident enough to take on a new role or step into a new opportunity. This is a big issue for alot of virtual support professionals, Online Business Managers included… how do we move forward when we aren’t feeling 100% confident? Click to hear my thoughts and a few tips (including why I think not feeling confident is actually a good thing!)

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Next OBM Training

by Tina Forsyth on December 14, 2009

It’s official – the next Online Business Manager Training & Certification program is now open for application.

As a member of the International Association of Online Business Managers I wanted to invite you to learn more about the training and get your application in before we announce it to the world at large later this week.

Details on the training can be found at:
http://www.certifiedobm.com

The first step in the application process is to book a 1-1 phone call with yours truly – Tina Forsyth. During this call I would love to get to know more about you, your business and your goals for 2010 and to also give you details on the upcoming training program. (And to learn about a change to the training that we are REALLY excited about.)

We want to ensure that this training is the best fit for you and the growth of your business – it will just be a quick 15-20 minute call so as to not take up too much time in your busy day.

To go ahead and reserve your 1-1 session go to:
http://www.certifiedobm.com/bookasession/

Timeslots will fill on a first-come, first-serve basis so be sure to go ahead and reserve your spot now.

I really look forward to connecting and learning more about you and your business, and to possibly creating a powerful next step for you as an Online Business Manager in 2010.

Tina Forsyth
Founder and Lead Trainer
Online Business Manager Certification & Training
International Association of Online Business Managers

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Date: Wednesday, December 16th at 1:00pm pacific / 4:00pm eastern

Online business owners still aren’t “getting” SEO copywriting. Many consultants still aren’t doing it well. The left hand isn’t talking to the right. What’s going on? Why is this stuff so hard to learn and even harder to execute with success?

When done right, SEO copywriting is a powerful tool for boosting your profile, attracting and supporting clients. When done without understanding of the fundamentals – even when outsourced – SEO copywriting can do more harm than good. In this teleclass, our guest expert Karri Flatla will deconstruct the mythology of SEO copywriting. She will also provide simple, anyone-can-do-it tactics for improving your own web message, your client’s web message and working with the SEO and copywriting professionals who appear to hold all the cards.

Karri Flatla is the principal of snap! virtual associates inc., a coaching-consulting firm specializing in web marketing and copywriting for entrepreneurs. Well known across the web for her take-no-prisoners writing style, Karri’s articles and tips have been featured at Search Engine Guide, the VAnetworking Blog, Fuel Net, Problogger’s TwiTip, and Smart Company Magazine. She is also the author of Alpha WAHM Blueprint: An Empowerment Guide for Work-at-Home Moms (http://alphawahmbook.com). You can read and subscribe to Karri’s Outsmart business blog at http://snap-va.com.

IAOBM Members: You can access the recording for this call in the Member Area. If you are not an IAOBM member yet, find out more about IAOBM Membership Benefits by clicking here: http://www.obmconnect.com/membership-benefits

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