Resources

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We like to keep all our resources as current as possible. Please notify us should any of our links below appear broken or no longer exist.

Small Business Resources

In addition to the services we can offer you, here are some useful links to help you on your road to success:

Automate Your Business (also check links in “Useful VA tools” under Virtual Assistant Resources)

  • FreshBooks: A simple and easy to use online invoicing/billing tool
  • Cashboard: Useful online account keeping tool with a multi-currency feature for the entrepreneur with world-wide clients.
  • PayPal: When you signup for PayPal, you can start accepting credit card payments instantly. As the world’s number one online payment service, PayPal is the fastest way to open your doors to over 150 million member accounts worldwide. Best of all, it’s completely free to sign up!
  • ClientSpot an awesome and simple to use project management tool helps the team of Ask Your Virtual Assistant stay organised, allows us to collaborate with our team and clients, keeps track of projects and document our time. Another very popular and top contender project management tool we recommend is Basecamp.
  • MyHours: Online time tracking management – currently a free tool.
  • AWeber: just want an Auto-responder? AWeber is the way to go!
  • 1Shoppingcart: Auto-responder, shopping cart, Affiliate,
  • Feedburner: is the leading provider of media distribution and audience engagement services for blogs and RSS feeds, PLUS its free!
  • Access your PC remotely with GoToMyPC which has a free trail period and doesn’t require software download. Or check out LogMeIn which has a free plan with the option of premium services at cost.

World Wide Web

  • Bluehost: Ask Your Viratual Assistant’s preferred webhost. And for those interested, they are Wordpress friendly.
  • OpenOffice: Free software, very similar to Microsoft Office suite.

Government Resources

Services we recommend:

  • Ace Design & Print: A The team at ACE Design & Print will save you time and money, while satisfying all your print and copy needs
  • DailyWebGeek.com: The Web reference and meeting place for next-generation Web publishers/bloggers, designers/developers, and digital entrepreneurs!.
  • Silk Photography: Specialises in the photography of Commercial, Wedding, Portfolios and Special Events. Lysa is also able to provide Photo Re-touching services as well.

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Motivation/Inspirational Resources

FREE Ticket To BTS
The entrepreneurial spirit always begins with the mindset. Here are some of our recommendations to guide you on your journey:

Recommended Books

Free Resources

  • Mighty Ventures: Visit the “Resources” section of the Mighty Ventures Web site for free financing, sales, marketing, and operational documents, templates, and white papers. If you are in need of mentoring and coaching for your business check out their awesome programs available as well!
  • E-myth World Wide: If you loved Michael Gerber’s “E-Myth Revisited” then you’ll enjoy his website packed with free resources and articles available to help you automate your business. They also offer mentoring programs and seminars as well.

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Virtual Assistant Resources

Are you thinking of setting up your own VA business and want to know more about the industry, take courses and get some useful tips? Or perhaps you’re a seasoned VA who wants to take your business to the next level, brush up on your skills or learn new ones? Check out the resources below (and maybe we’ll see you joining our team too!):

Training Courses

  • The VA Coach: A must have for the aspiring VA and for the VA who simply want to take hold of their business. Set solid foundations as Erin Blaskie guides you in her self study courses on starting your VA business or taking it to the next level.
  • VA Classroom: A great comprehensive self study course for the aspiring Internet Marketing VA. Social Marketing courses are now also available.
  • Hot Skills VA Training: Live virtual courses on various specialist VA skills (such as Online Business Managers) that are currently in demand in the VA industry and with clients.

Networks and Forums

  • Virtual Assistant Forums: Need some business advice, someone to chat with who will understand when you’re having a bad day in your office or just want to announce your excitement of scoring a new client? Then this is the place for you!
  • VANetworking: Join their forum to meet fellow VA’s, loads of free resources available and gain insight into the VA industry from both a VA and Client point of view. For the aspiring VA they also have a VA Start-up system for purchase, click here for more information.

Recommended Books

Useful VA Tools (also check links under “Automate Your Business” in Small Business Resources)

  • Virtual Assistant Forms: Starting out and need help with specific VA templates such as contracts, process documents, client consultation etc? This site has it all. Purchase templates individually or purchase in sets at a discounted rate.
  • Docstoc: Free business templates
  • Google Docs: This is a great way to have web-based documents stored and you can share them out.
  • Wordpress: Yes you have to pay a few dollars to host it someplace, but the Wordpress developers are not getting that money.  That is the best free software I have ever seen.
  • SnagIT: screen capture software – great for presentations, capturing images online etc. There is a free trail available, however at some point they were giving a full licensed version (7.2.5) for free.
  • YouSendIt: awesome online tool to send clients large files. Send files up to 100mb for free, paid services for larger files.
  • PrimoPDF: Converts almost any document into PDF for free! Do it online or download the software onto your computer.
  • Another great PDF converter: http://www.doc2pdf.net/
  • Convert PDF’s to a Word document: http://www.pdftoword.com/ and http://www.convertpdftoword.net/
  • Convert PDF to Excel: http://www.pdftoexcelonline.com/
  • PDF Editor: http://www.nitropdf.com/free/hammer/index.htm
  • FileZilla: The free FTP solution