If you have training information or information to sell to your target market, the teleseminar is a tech-easy way to enter into offering virtual events.  As you have learned, virtual events are presentations that provide information without the need for the host or attendees to travel to the event.

What is a teleseminar (aka teleclass)?    Typically teleseminars are training or sales information delivered via a conference call.   A day and time for the call is scheduled.  Attendees are sent invitations to the teleseminar and are given the conference call number to dial.  On the day and time of the call, the host and attendees call in to the conference call line.  The host presents the material and answers questions from the audience.  After the event a recording of the teleseminar is sent to attendees (to benefit those that could not be on the call live).  Voila!  Information delivered, call recorded, your time is leveraged!

Tomorrow you’ll learn how to host your own teleseminars.

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I am currently in a class to receive my Virtual Events Specialist certification. What are virtual events? Think teleseminars, webinars, screencasts, podcasts – events that are live or recorded, but the audience doesn’t have to travel. Think about the leverage of time and money for hosting and/or attending these types of events. No travel expenses, no lost luggage, no travel day before and after the event, no time away from your family.

According to a VAClassroom.com presentation I attended:
“Businesses are adapting to Virtual Events at a record pace! 67% of professionals responsible for physical events report that overall attendance has dropped, and 76% of businesses say have already begun using or plan to start using Virtual Events in 2009. In fact, 70% of Corporate Event Organizers predict a reduction in live events in 2010, and forecast major growth in virtual conferences and webinars.”

Think about how much information you have to share with your target market.  Wouldn’t a virtual event of some kind help you leverage your time and money to share your information?  Of course it would.

In my next posts, I’ll outline some of the virtual events you can consider for your business.

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Woo Hoo! It was six years today that I began this journey of self-employment when I officially “opened” Wilson Virtual Assistants for business! It was a step I took in faith, following a Zen saying I had read, “Leap and the net will appear.”

I am grateful to my family, clients and colleagues for your continued support. I appreciate every minute of brainstorming, strategizing and collaborating that you have provided. Thank you for helping me help the world understand what a ‘virtual assistant’ is and does.

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Many of you know that I was away in July on my “trip of a lifetime”.  My VA colleague, Caroline Wright, and I walked across England. In the process, we raised nearly $1500 (a mere $400 from our goal) for American Cancer Society!

Who's happy to see the "THE END" sign?!

The long-distance walk is called The Coast to Coast – created and popularized by writer, illustrator and master-walker, Alfred Wainwright.  It starts on northern England’s West Coast at the Irish Sea and stretches through 3 national parks 192 miles to the North Sea on the East Coast.   Literally over hill, dale and moor, we walked through some incredible scenery!

a view from the cairn atop Dent Fell (hill) - views of the day's journey and Irish Sea in the distance

About a week before we left, a client called me to talk about my trip.  Del Q (his hiking moniker) is an avid hiker – planning to finish the Appalachian Trail this year in sections.  We compared stories of breaking in boots and weights of back packs and then he said something that puzzled me.  “Carla, you know you are physically ready for this trip.  Just be aware of the mental side of walking.  Remember, just put one foot in front of the other.”   We finished our conversation and after hanging up the phone, I shook my head in amazement.  Why would there be a ‘mental’ side to this trip?  I just needed to walk, right?  We would be walking anywhere from 9 to 23 miles in a day.  The year-long training schedule had made me very strong and I didn’t feel intimidated by the mileage at all.

But over the course of 13-day journey, I realized what he meant.  The walking was the easy part.  What hit me hardest was the constant din of instinct, commitment and drive necessary to continue on a day’s journey.  Read the guidebook, and look for landmarks.  Check the compass bearing.  Stop to re-tie the loose boot lace.  Stop to put on the rain gear.  Stop again to remove and pack away the rain gear.   I wonder how far we’ve walked already?  Check the guidebook again.  Look at the big map to confirm directions.  Look at the compass.   All day.  Everyday.  My brain was occupied. And this was if the conditions were favorable! One day in particular was especially challenging because of the poor weather (wind, rain, sleet), distance (17 miles) and terrain (our highest elevation – Kidsty Pike – at 2250ft).

What got me over and through the hardest terrain? Lots of prayers and the thoughts of those folks that had battled cancer or are fighting it everyday. A boy named Sam, a lady named Charlene, my cousin Bonnie, my mom, my dad, and many others. When we set up the American Cancer Society donation page for our fundraising efforts I asked folks to email us the names of their family and friends in whose honor we would be walking. When we were on top of that mountain in driving sleet and wind, and I wasn’t sure that I could take the next step forward, thinking about the fight in these individuals gave me strength. I kept running their names through my had like a mantra and praying with every step. My nerves calmed and was able to keep moving.

Needless to say, my life changed even if just a little on that mountain in England’s Lake District. Isn’t this example so true of our lives and businesses? You can plan for something, but you’re not going to know exactly what’s going to happen until you’re smack dab in the middle of it. And it may be hard – mentally hard. But you simply can’t stop, you must keep moving. One must remain calm in the midst of a storm.

Much love (and gratitude) to my cousin Bonnie who would’ve turned 52 today.

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My colleague Mary Motz and I hosted a double-header webinar, to share our “secrets” and demonstrate how we help our clients.  The first topic (mine) was “3 Secrets for Turning Contacts into Sales” and Mary shared “Social Media 101 for Business”.   If you missed the webinar – no worries!  To follow are links to both the movie of the webinar and/or the audio-only portion (for you podcast lovers!). 

For the webinar: Webinar: Turning Contacts into Sales and Social Media 101 for Small Business
Or listen/download the podcast version here:

By the way, Mary and I are teaming up to help solopreneurs implement this type of digital media into their marketing exposure.

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Do you need more sales?  If you own your own business like I do, the answer is always – YES!  I have written a complimentary eBook titled, “7 Easy Steps for Turning Contacts into Sales” and where I share some of my secrets and expertise.  I share how to organize your database and marketing to gain more sales in your business.  Some of the highlights include:

• Get all your contacts in ONE place
• Create YOUR list of ideal contact types
• Customize your marketing plan and campaigns
• Track your marketing efforts to improve your results
• Get more sales!

Download your complimentary copy now!  Simply fill out the form to the right where it says Get my Free eBook!

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On June 17, 2009, my colleague Mary Motz and I will be hosting a complimentary teleseminar.  We hope this will be a great learning experience for everyone.  Mary will be presenting information regarding using Social Media in your business and I will be sharing some of my secrets regarding database management and marketing campaigns.  Look for a post with a link to registration coming soon!

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What is a Virtual Assistant?

A VA is a Virtual Assistant – a professional who is hired to handle the tasks that keep you from doing what you do best.  These tasks could include  database management, marketing assistance, bookkeeping, ghostwriting or web maintenance.  Work is outsourced to the VA for completion via fax, USPS, express shipping services or email.

A VA uses her own equipment, desk, and space – not yours. She is paid for time-on-task only – not for downtime, breaks, overtime, vacation or checking personal email – you are assured 100% productive time.  Contact the WilsonVA team now !

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