Accountability is a huge word. Not because it has 14 letters in the word. Because it means you will "do as you say".
Our position of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant comes with responsibility. We must be accountable to the attorney, which in turn must be accountable to his/her client.
When we decide we want to pursue the career of Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant, we make a decision to take on a certain amount of responsibility.
When I decided to start AAVBA, I knew I would be accountable to a group of individuals who would look to me for answers. In this position, accountability would have to be #1 priority, followed by service and support to those who chose to join our organization.
There would be straight forward talk about the VBA industry.
There would be straight forward talk about the potential to make money and how much. Which, by the way, you cannot consistently make $15,000.00/month which in turn is $180,000.00/year . If that happens, I want to see a tax return. That is the only way I will be convinced of the potential to make more money than the attorney who practices law.
That is not to say you can't make a decent living preparing petitions. There are some VBA's who have been able to quit their jobs and do this full time. They also put in long hours of marketing and planning and preparing so this could become a reality for them. They (VBA's) are accountable for the success of their businesses. My accountability lies in that I promised to market directly to attorneys on behalf of VBA's. So far, so good.
I don't claim to be an expert in this field. To do that, I would have to be working in this field a minimum of 5 years. But I do have 25 years of Corporate experience. Also, I have been a successful Independent Contractor for 10 years.
I do a variety of work. Field Service Inspections, Notary Signing Agent, Writing papers for college students, assisting students fill out the FAFSA forms, Translations, and Bankruptcy Petition Preparation.
In every assignment, I am accountable. I'm accountable to take the correct measurements of the building when I do Inspections. I am accountable when identifying signers on Loan documents. I am accountable to the students. I am accountable to Translate the correct words from the doctor to the patient. I am accountable to the attorney that I will do my best to submit a deficiency free petition. This is not to say I'm perfect, I'm not.
I've made mistakes. And I had to acknowledge those mistakes. Which is never easy. But if I don't acknowledge what I have done wrong, then nothing about my business is honest.
I believe those who are in a position to teach and lead have a higher expectation of accountability. Especially when individuals put their hard earned money and belief in that individual or business.
Once, I had thought about doing an online $.99 cent store. The woman I was going to go into business was a very nice lady. We got along immediately. Before I signed the papers to start my online store, she sent me her tax returns. She wanted to show me how much money she lost. The first year. In the same envelope, was the tax return for the following year and then the most current year. Talk about accountability. Long story short, she made a good return after one year of doing her online store.
By the way, I never opened my Online store. It was not for me. But I know my friend is still doing her online store and quite successfully. And she became a friend.
I had not made a return on my VBA business up until February of this year (2008) when an out of state attorney contracted me to prepare his clients' petitions. I had been marketing to attorneys since 2006 with no return. My business took a turn for the better when I hooked up with my "core" group of VBA's. When I saw how successful we were together, I knew I had to do something for other VBA's who; like me, had not been successful in this business.
Much like I believed in this VBA business, I believe we can get all VBA's working for an attorney, maybe more than one. I also know it takes a lot of work. For those VBA's who put in the time and with the marketing efforts of the AAVBA, we can do this.
In October, I head out to South Carolina for the Bankruptcy Attorney Fall Conference. Along on this trip are 4 AAVBA members. I'm happy that AAVBA decided to offer this. Now, every VBA will have the opportunity to market "face to face" with attorneys.
This will be a good experience. For the VBA's and for myself. I will get to know the AAVBA members on a more personal level.
My hope is that the Fall Conference in South Carolina will bring assignments to VBA's during the winter months when most work slows down for every Independent Contractor. No matter what industry they're in.
Until next time,
Vikki
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Lessons Learned
My father passed away 6 years ago from a massive heart attack. He was 67 years old. A relatively young age.
Pops lived a full life. When his friends found out how he had passed, they said to us, "he gave away so much of his heart, he forgot to keep a little for himself". That was true.
My dad was that type of person. He always gave.
Growing up, I remember my dad always being there for the less fortunate kids in our neighborhood. Not that we were well off, not by any means. But somehow, we always had just enough.
My dad came to the U.S. from Mexico in the '50's. He and my mother were young and full of hope. When they arrived in the U.S., my dad attended night school to learn English. All the while holding down a full time job to support his growing family. Later on, he would take on two full time jobs to make ends meet. He did this so our mother wouldn't have to work outside the home.
My dad hired a cleaning lady, and a cook. I think these were luxuries my dad wanted our mother to have. Also, there were so many of us! I have four brothers and two sisters.
When Dad and Mom came to this country, they made a vow to live the American dream. For my father, that meant live as an American. Everything my dad did was modeled around American life. That meant respecting and flying the American flag every holiday. My dad and mom were Scout Leaders for our neighborhood Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops. They volunteered at school and church. It's funny, but you would think with them giving so much time to everyone, there would be no time for their own children! On the contrary, we were always with them!
After working two full time jobs for many years, my dad decided he would open up a business. So, he quit his two jobs and did just that.
At the ripe old age of 42, our parents made the last payment on their mortgage and became grandparents for the first time.
Then, one day, dad decided he wanted to teach. So, he took the CBEST exam and started teaching at a local high school. He taught a vocational class.
While he taught, he attended night school to earn his Bachelors. After that, he went on to earn his Masters at the age of 51. But, his proudest moment happened when he became a citizen of the United States. My dad literally draped his house in red, white and blue!
I remember the years when my dad was a teacher. He would often invite his students over for a BBQ. We didn't mind, we knew that was our dad's way. He always helped those who needed a hand.
He was always giving.
When my dad passed away, everyone came to his funeral. At the reception held after the services, someone asked me, "what was your dad?", I responded, "what do you mean?", they said, "was he some sort of important person?", again, I asked, "what do you mean?", they said, "I've never seen so many people at someone's funeral, he must have been a very special person or held some sort of position".
Then it dawned on me. All my life, I saw my father helping other people. He helped people get jobs, he helped people buy cars, he helped the neighborhood kids, he helped teach a skill to high school students. I don't know why, but I just never gave any thought of how much my dad helped people. My thought was; this is what everybody did. Help each other.
So I looked around the reception hall (we had to rent a hall to hold all the people in attendance), I saw his students and their families, his former Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts were there, the kids (now all grown) from the old neighborhood came, I saw his godchildren (20 or 30), his brothers were there as was his sister. His nieces and nephews (40 or more). We had people from all over come up to us and tell us stories of how our father helped them.
They told funny stories, compelling stories and some stories even made us cry.
But they all had the same thing to say, "your dad helped me...."
My father had always been a very content person. Just happy to be. Period. He was a simple man with very basic beliefs and ideas; which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Did I mention that my dad supported his family as a welder?
One brother became a welder. Our son, Anthony, took a welding class in college. And now, Anthony is finishing up his studies to become a teacher as well. Ironically, my brothers all married teachers.
So the lesson learned for me, was "when you give, you will always get back more than you gave".
It was evident to me when my dad passed away. All these people had come back to pay their last respects to a man they loved and admired and respected. All because he gave and helped them.
How simple and how basic. But that's the kind of person Pops was.
Vikki
Pops lived a full life. When his friends found out how he had passed, they said to us, "he gave away so much of his heart, he forgot to keep a little for himself". That was true.
My dad was that type of person. He always gave.
Growing up, I remember my dad always being there for the less fortunate kids in our neighborhood. Not that we were well off, not by any means. But somehow, we always had just enough.
My dad came to the U.S. from Mexico in the '50's. He and my mother were young and full of hope. When they arrived in the U.S., my dad attended night school to learn English. All the while holding down a full time job to support his growing family. Later on, he would take on two full time jobs to make ends meet. He did this so our mother wouldn't have to work outside the home.
My dad hired a cleaning lady, and a cook. I think these were luxuries my dad wanted our mother to have. Also, there were so many of us! I have four brothers and two sisters.
When Dad and Mom came to this country, they made a vow to live the American dream. For my father, that meant live as an American. Everything my dad did was modeled around American life. That meant respecting and flying the American flag every holiday. My dad and mom were Scout Leaders for our neighborhood Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops. They volunteered at school and church. It's funny, but you would think with them giving so much time to everyone, there would be no time for their own children! On the contrary, we were always with them!
After working two full time jobs for many years, my dad decided he would open up a business. So, he quit his two jobs and did just that.
At the ripe old age of 42, our parents made the last payment on their mortgage and became grandparents for the first time.
Then, one day, dad decided he wanted to teach. So, he took the CBEST exam and started teaching at a local high school. He taught a vocational class.
While he taught, he attended night school to earn his Bachelors. After that, he went on to earn his Masters at the age of 51. But, his proudest moment happened when he became a citizen of the United States. My dad literally draped his house in red, white and blue!
I remember the years when my dad was a teacher. He would often invite his students over for a BBQ. We didn't mind, we knew that was our dad's way. He always helped those who needed a hand.
He was always giving.
When my dad passed away, everyone came to his funeral. At the reception held after the services, someone asked me, "what was your dad?", I responded, "what do you mean?", they said, "was he some sort of important person?", again, I asked, "what do you mean?", they said, "I've never seen so many people at someone's funeral, he must have been a very special person or held some sort of position".
Then it dawned on me. All my life, I saw my father helping other people. He helped people get jobs, he helped people buy cars, he helped the neighborhood kids, he helped teach a skill to high school students. I don't know why, but I just never gave any thought of how much my dad helped people. My thought was; this is what everybody did. Help each other.
So I looked around the reception hall (we had to rent a hall to hold all the people in attendance), I saw his students and their families, his former Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts were there, the kids (now all grown) from the old neighborhood came, I saw his godchildren (20 or 30), his brothers were there as was his sister. His nieces and nephews (40 or more). We had people from all over come up to us and tell us stories of how our father helped them.
They told funny stories, compelling stories and some stories even made us cry.
But they all had the same thing to say, "your dad helped me...."
My father had always been a very content person. Just happy to be. Period. He was a simple man with very basic beliefs and ideas; which he passed down to his children and grandchildren. Did I mention that my dad supported his family as a welder?
One brother became a welder. Our son, Anthony, took a welding class in college. And now, Anthony is finishing up his studies to become a teacher as well. Ironically, my brothers all married teachers.
So the lesson learned for me, was "when you give, you will always get back more than you gave".
It was evident to me when my dad passed away. All these people had come back to pay their last respects to a man they loved and admired and respected. All because he gave and helped them.
How simple and how basic. But that's the kind of person Pops was.
Vikki
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Marketing
Every business, whether bricks and mortar, or internet, must do marketing.
For the bricks and mortar type of business, it is easy to see the instant gratification of opening your business. You order a banner with"GRAND OPENING" in huge letters, flyers, postcards, giveaways, etc., etc.
With an online business, it's a little tricky. When you first open for business, you also have a "GRAND OPENING". The Grand Opening is your webiste. The website is your "storefront". Without a website, you have no business.
So how do you do a "GRAND OPENING" banner for your online business? You advertise!
For Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, the best place to advertise, (FREE), is Craigslist. I have been very successful on Craigslist. My first attorney found me there. I expect lots more attorneys will find me since I post and re-post my services every few months.
As a VBA, you must think "virtual". Your business is an online business. Also, keep in mind your target group. This is key.
In the virtual world, you must advertise ALL THE TIME for anyone to see you.
If you had a bricks and mortar type of business, wouldn't you advertise all the time? Of course you would! It's the only way to have people come back to your store.
So with an online business. If you have no website for your target group to look at, how do you expect to get contracts? You cannot have a business if you have no website.
Marketing online is different than marketing a bricks and mortar business. Nevertheless, you must do marketing. Probably more aggressively, definitely more often.
If you're not spending at least one hour a day on Craigslist or online marketing your business, guaranteed you will never get an assignment. That's the absolute minimum, one hour a day. But, you must have a website.
For myself, I spend at least 30 hours a week marketing AAVBA. I also set aside some time to look at who's marketing online. While doing that, I've seen a few VBA's names and businesses online. If I see you, guaranteed, bankruptcy attorneys see you.
I know being an Independent Contractor is difficult. You need money to get started. There are expenses. Most times, before you even make any money! Believe me, I've been there.
But it can be done on a shoestring budget. The downside of the shoestring budget is that you have to do everything yourself.
I'd like to ask if anyone out there has a website hosting company they could recommend that will not break the bank for our new VBA's, please pass the information to them through the VBANation GoogleGroup. All AAVBA members should have received an invitation to this group since it is open to AAVBA members only. By request through our AAVBA members.
And advertise on Craigslist! Seriously folks, if you want to work, you must get on Craigslist. And again, if something is working for you and getting results, please pass this information on through the members only AAVBA GoogleGroup, VBANation.
AAVBA advertises on your behalf. All the time. We are always marketing. We want to see everyone working. It's our passion, our goal and our motivation for this organization.
If an attorney chooses your name on the AAVBA website, clicks on "View Complete Details", clicks on your "URL", will they see your VBA website? Is there a "URL" where there should be one? If not, then, sorry to say, but you're not open for business. And if you're not open for business, the attorney is going to go to the next VBA who does have a website (storefront) and is open for business.
The website is your storefront. You must keep this in mind. If you have the URL but have not built your website, this is the first thing you must do. Open your storefront for business, build your website.
I never guarantee work. From the beginning, I have always said, "AAVBA does not guarantee work, we are not an employment agency". As independent contractors, you are responsible for your own businesses. What we do at AAVBA is market on your behalf.
But you must do your part. And a major part of your business is having a website. And marketing. Being online, everywhere and anywhere an attorney might see your name.
If AAVBA finds a way to market your business without costing a lot of money, believe me, we will pass this information on to you. We want you to find work! But we can only do so much. Without a website, you won't be doing any work, that I can guarantee.
Aside from marketing AAVBA and for its' members, I also market my own VBA business. At least 20 hours a week. I recently revamped my website. Something I do every 3 months or so. The way I see it, it's my storefront, so I want my storefront to always look fresh. I redo the wording, I add graphics, etc., etc.
It's a lot of work, I know. I try to squeeze every minute out of my days. Believe me, sometimes, 24 hours is just not enough.
I want you to know, I'm right there with you. I've said this before in our Webinars. I'm doing just as much work as you. Believe me, I know what you're going through.
When you get your first assignment (and believe me, once you have a website [your storefront], you will get an assignment), you will know that all the work you've put into your "storefront" was worth it.
My hope is that everyone will have a VBA website by the time we go to the NACBA Fall Conference in October. When we're at these Conferences and Conventions, we like to show off our VBA's websites all weekend and tell attorneys how to find you!
We hope to see your "Open for Business" sign soon!
Wishing you wildly successful days!
Vikki
For the bricks and mortar type of business, it is easy to see the instant gratification of opening your business. You order a banner with"GRAND OPENING" in huge letters, flyers, postcards, giveaways, etc., etc.
With an online business, it's a little tricky. When you first open for business, you also have a "GRAND OPENING". The Grand Opening is your webiste. The website is your "storefront". Without a website, you have no business.
So how do you do a "GRAND OPENING" banner for your online business? You advertise!
For Virtual Bankruptcy Assistants, the best place to advertise, (FREE), is Craigslist. I have been very successful on Craigslist. My first attorney found me there. I expect lots more attorneys will find me since I post and re-post my services every few months.
As a VBA, you must think "virtual". Your business is an online business. Also, keep in mind your target group. This is key.
In the virtual world, you must advertise ALL THE TIME for anyone to see you.
If you had a bricks and mortar type of business, wouldn't you advertise all the time? Of course you would! It's the only way to have people come back to your store.
So with an online business. If you have no website for your target group to look at, how do you expect to get contracts? You cannot have a business if you have no website.
Marketing online is different than marketing a bricks and mortar business. Nevertheless, you must do marketing. Probably more aggressively, definitely more often.
If you're not spending at least one hour a day on Craigslist or online marketing your business, guaranteed you will never get an assignment. That's the absolute minimum, one hour a day. But, you must have a website.
For myself, I spend at least 30 hours a week marketing AAVBA. I also set aside some time to look at who's marketing online. While doing that, I've seen a few VBA's names and businesses online. If I see you, guaranteed, bankruptcy attorneys see you.
I know being an Independent Contractor is difficult. You need money to get started. There are expenses. Most times, before you even make any money! Believe me, I've been there.
But it can be done on a shoestring budget. The downside of the shoestring budget is that you have to do everything yourself.
I'd like to ask if anyone out there has a website hosting company they could recommend that will not break the bank for our new VBA's, please pass the information to them through the VBANation GoogleGroup. All AAVBA members should have received an invitation to this group since it is open to AAVBA members only. By request through our AAVBA members.
And advertise on Craigslist! Seriously folks, if you want to work, you must get on Craigslist. And again, if something is working for you and getting results, please pass this information on through the members only AAVBA GoogleGroup, VBANation.
AAVBA advertises on your behalf. All the time. We are always marketing. We want to see everyone working. It's our passion, our goal and our motivation for this organization.
If an attorney chooses your name on the AAVBA website, clicks on "View Complete Details", clicks on your "URL", will they see your VBA website? Is there a "URL" where there should be one? If not, then, sorry to say, but you're not open for business. And if you're not open for business, the attorney is going to go to the next VBA who does have a website (storefront) and is open for business.
The website is your storefront. You must keep this in mind. If you have the URL but have not built your website, this is the first thing you must do. Open your storefront for business, build your website.
I never guarantee work. From the beginning, I have always said, "AAVBA does not guarantee work, we are not an employment agency". As independent contractors, you are responsible for your own businesses. What we do at AAVBA is market on your behalf.
But you must do your part. And a major part of your business is having a website. And marketing. Being online, everywhere and anywhere an attorney might see your name.
If AAVBA finds a way to market your business without costing a lot of money, believe me, we will pass this information on to you. We want you to find work! But we can only do so much. Without a website, you won't be doing any work, that I can guarantee.
Aside from marketing AAVBA and for its' members, I also market my own VBA business. At least 20 hours a week. I recently revamped my website. Something I do every 3 months or so. The way I see it, it's my storefront, so I want my storefront to always look fresh. I redo the wording, I add graphics, etc., etc.
It's a lot of work, I know. I try to squeeze every minute out of my days. Believe me, sometimes, 24 hours is just not enough.
I want you to know, I'm right there with you. I've said this before in our Webinars. I'm doing just as much work as you. Believe me, I know what you're going through.
When you get your first assignment (and believe me, once you have a website [your storefront], you will get an assignment), you will know that all the work you've put into your "storefront" was worth it.
My hope is that everyone will have a VBA website by the time we go to the NACBA Fall Conference in October. When we're at these Conferences and Conventions, we like to show off our VBA's websites all weekend and tell attorneys how to find you!
We hope to see your "Open for Business" sign soon!
Wishing you wildly successful days!
Vikki
Friday, July 11, 2008
AAVBA is on the move!
AAVBA is on the move!
As many of you know, AAVBA had an Exhibit at the Annual NACBA Convention.
We're still reeling from the great publicity and also from the assignments that have resulted from our presence at the Convention.
Now we're on the move again.
We have decided that since our exhibit was a success, we will attend every NACBA event.
But we're going to change it up. Instead of AAVBA Directors manning the exhibit booth all weekend, we are offering 5 AAVBA members the opportunity to attend future NACBA events.
One AAVBA Director will attend the Workshops and Conventions along with the 5 AAVBA members.
NACBA hosts at least 4 events per year. With each event, we will choose 5 AAVBA members to attend.
The next event planned is the NACBA Fall Workshop in Hilton Head Island, SC on October 2,3, and 4, 2008.
This opportunity will allow our 5 AAVBA members to market their businesses as well as market the AAVBA organization and industry. They will also be expected to highlight fellow AAVBA members' websites as well.
As we continue to grow, we hope to bring more opportunities where more AAVBA members can attend.
AAVBA believes in the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant and their contribution to the the legal community.
We're on the move and we're taking our members with us!
Vikki
As many of you know, AAVBA had an Exhibit at the Annual NACBA Convention.
We're still reeling from the great publicity and also from the assignments that have resulted from our presence at the Convention.
Now we're on the move again.
We have decided that since our exhibit was a success, we will attend every NACBA event.
But we're going to change it up. Instead of AAVBA Directors manning the exhibit booth all weekend, we are offering 5 AAVBA members the opportunity to attend future NACBA events.
One AAVBA Director will attend the Workshops and Conventions along with the 5 AAVBA members.
NACBA hosts at least 4 events per year. With each event, we will choose 5 AAVBA members to attend.
The next event planned is the NACBA Fall Workshop in Hilton Head Island, SC on October 2,3, and 4, 2008.
This opportunity will allow our 5 AAVBA members to market their businesses as well as market the AAVBA organization and industry. They will also be expected to highlight fellow AAVBA members' websites as well.
As we continue to grow, we hope to bring more opportunities where more AAVBA members can attend.
AAVBA believes in the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant and their contribution to the the legal community.
We're on the move and we're taking our members with us!
Vikki
Thursday, June 19, 2008
And the hits keep coming....
I'm proud of the comaraderie we've created at AAVBA.
The members truly have a sense of being "mentor-like" to their fellow AAVBA members.
Not only that, we now have Articles being written by our AAVBA members which are posted on the website.
The one thing I am most proud of, attorneys are contracting with AAVBA members.
At AAVBA, we use "proven" marketing and business development methods. The VBA's who have used our methods have been successful in securing contracts with attorneys across the United States.
That's what it's all about. Securing contracts with Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
At AAVBA, we do not guarantee employment. What we do, and we do it well, is market to Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys on behalf of our AAVBA members.
I speak to at least 4 attorneys a week. Some are inquiring about the role and function of the VBA. Some are looking to hire immediately.
We're proud to say we've secured several contracts for our members. And although we refer the attorney to the AAVBA member, once the attorney and VBA meet "virtually", closing the deal is still up to the individual VBA.
And the hits keep coming. More and more, attorneys are realizing AAVBA stands for excellence, professionalism and integrity. We expect no less from our members.
We maintain this level of professionalism by reiterating to our members that ethics; above all else, is why attorneys will want to use the services of the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant.
Our dedication to provide service and support to the VBA is number 1.
As time goes on, we would like to travel around the country and meet our members and also meet with Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
As time goes on, our members will soon be able to say goodbye to full time jobs outside the home. Some may even be able to set up shop in an office building.
The possibilities are endless and only limited by the imagination of the VBA.
We encourage our VBA's to dream BIG.
AAVBA is there to help them succeed all the way.
And the hits keep coming........More success stories to
follow......(of this I'm sure!)
Vikki
The members truly have a sense of being "mentor-like" to their fellow AAVBA members.
Not only that, we now have Articles being written by our AAVBA members which are posted on the website.
The one thing I am most proud of, attorneys are contracting with AAVBA members.
At AAVBA, we use "proven" marketing and business development methods. The VBA's who have used our methods have been successful in securing contracts with attorneys across the United States.
That's what it's all about. Securing contracts with Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
At AAVBA, we do not guarantee employment. What we do, and we do it well, is market to Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys on behalf of our AAVBA members.
I speak to at least 4 attorneys a week. Some are inquiring about the role and function of the VBA. Some are looking to hire immediately.
We're proud to say we've secured several contracts for our members. And although we refer the attorney to the AAVBA member, once the attorney and VBA meet "virtually", closing the deal is still up to the individual VBA.
And the hits keep coming. More and more, attorneys are realizing AAVBA stands for excellence, professionalism and integrity. We expect no less from our members.
We maintain this level of professionalism by reiterating to our members that ethics; above all else, is why attorneys will want to use the services of the Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant.
Our dedication to provide service and support to the VBA is number 1.
As time goes on, we would like to travel around the country and meet our members and also meet with Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
As time goes on, our members will soon be able to say goodbye to full time jobs outside the home. Some may even be able to set up shop in an office building.
The possibilities are endless and only limited by the imagination of the VBA.
We encourage our VBA's to dream BIG.
AAVBA is there to help them succeed all the way.
And the hits keep coming........More success stories to
follow......(of this I'm sure!)
Vikki
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Time
I respect time.
Time is something that can never be made up.... You can never get back those moments, hours, and days.
Every day and moment we do not spend marketing our businesses is business lost.
As an Independent Contractor, you must create your own income. What this means is that; if you don't aggressively market and advertise your business, most likely, you will not generate income.
This is the most difficult part of being an Independent Contractor.
In order to generate income, you must spend time marketing and advertising. If attorneys don't know you have a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant business, you probably will not get work.
When we started our businesses, we had to make a decision how much time we were going to dedicate to marketing and advertising.
Then, we had to decide how much time we were going to set aside to complete our bankruptcy petition preparations assignments.
For most of us, our first assignment will come while we're still working full time jobs or other independent assignments.
When that happens, our days will be very long. Sometimes 16 hour days.
Don't let that scare you. It will only be for a few months. The reward will be long term assignments and the one thing we're all striving for, independence.
This business will take a lot of time. Our goal at AAVBA, is this, that it will not take as long as it did for those who have been at this business for over 2 years to be successful.
We want everyone to have at least 1 attorney, 1 assignment before the end of the year. But it will take time.
Whatever time it takes, we're here to put in the time.
I'm going to write more about time. It is an important issue to me that has many aspects and affects everything we do.
Until next time,
Vikki
Time is something that can never be made up.... You can never get back those moments, hours, and days.
Every day and moment we do not spend marketing our businesses is business lost.
As an Independent Contractor, you must create your own income. What this means is that; if you don't aggressively market and advertise your business, most likely, you will not generate income.
This is the most difficult part of being an Independent Contractor.
In order to generate income, you must spend time marketing and advertising. If attorneys don't know you have a Virtual Bankruptcy Assistant business, you probably will not get work.
When we started our businesses, we had to make a decision how much time we were going to dedicate to marketing and advertising.
Then, we had to decide how much time we were going to set aside to complete our bankruptcy petition preparations assignments.
For most of us, our first assignment will come while we're still working full time jobs or other independent assignments.
When that happens, our days will be very long. Sometimes 16 hour days.
Don't let that scare you. It will only be for a few months. The reward will be long term assignments and the one thing we're all striving for, independence.
This business will take a lot of time. Our goal at AAVBA, is this, that it will not take as long as it did for those who have been at this business for over 2 years to be successful.
We want everyone to have at least 1 attorney, 1 assignment before the end of the year. But it will take time.
Whatever time it takes, we're here to put in the time.
I'm going to write more about time. It is an important issue to me that has many aspects and affects everything we do.
Until next time,
Vikki
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Personal Hygiene and Marketing
I use Crest toothpaste. Personally, I use the "teeth whitening" brand. I don't know if it really brightens and whitens my teeth, but it makes me feel as if it does, so I use it.
As VBA's we will sometimes have to venture out to meet attorneys interested in our services. If you start out marketing only in the immediate area of your SOHO (Small Office/Home Office), the odds are you will have to do this.
As Independent Contractors, we do a lot of work at home, sometimes in our pajamas, almost always not wearing shoes (at least in my household).
But the day will come when you will have to leave the comfort of your home. When you do, it is good practice to dress comfortably, yet, professionally. A nice blazer, pants and top will do for the women, for the men, a collared shirt and slacks. Be sure those shoes are polished. Check your hair; if you have your hair professionally colored or cut, be sure and keep those appointments. And the last most important point to check is your teeth and breath.
Trust me, the attorney you meet for the first time will check you out from head to toe (I've been there). And even though your sitting on the other side of his desk, eventually, you will be up close and personal.
You'll be thankful you got up a little earlier to take a shower, brush your teeth and used that mouthwash.
There are all sorts of marketing necessities, and having a website (you are virtual), business cards, and at least two phone numbers are essential to your business as a VBA.
But remember, there is always that one attorney whose office is just around the corner from you. The website, business cards and phone numbers will not matter if you don't have the most important marketing necessity, and that is bright teeth and fresh breath.
Vikki
As VBA's we will sometimes have to venture out to meet attorneys interested in our services. If you start out marketing only in the immediate area of your SOHO (Small Office/Home Office), the odds are you will have to do this.
As Independent Contractors, we do a lot of work at home, sometimes in our pajamas, almost always not wearing shoes (at least in my household).
But the day will come when you will have to leave the comfort of your home. When you do, it is good practice to dress comfortably, yet, professionally. A nice blazer, pants and top will do for the women, for the men, a collared shirt and slacks. Be sure those shoes are polished. Check your hair; if you have your hair professionally colored or cut, be sure and keep those appointments. And the last most important point to check is your teeth and breath.
Trust me, the attorney you meet for the first time will check you out from head to toe (I've been there). And even though your sitting on the other side of his desk, eventually, you will be up close and personal.
You'll be thankful you got up a little earlier to take a shower, brush your teeth and used that mouthwash.
There are all sorts of marketing necessities, and having a website (you are virtual), business cards, and at least two phone numbers are essential to your business as a VBA.
But remember, there is always that one attorney whose office is just around the corner from you. The website, business cards and phone numbers will not matter if you don't have the most important marketing necessity, and that is bright teeth and fresh breath.
Vikki
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