My VA Story So Far...

It's been awhile since I updated this blog as so much has happened -- doors of opportunity opened up for me.  A few days before the end of 2010, I submitted a short 'story' to my VA and Online Marketing mentor, Jomar Hilario, on how my life has unfolded and revealed to me possbilities, potentials, and realizations of what it's like to be a Virtual Assistant.  I gave myself the monicker 'Virtual Mompreneur'.  So what is it really like to be a Virtual Assistant, or someone who has virtual clients and works from home (or any other location of one's choice)?  Just a sample snapshot:  as I am writing and typing this blog post, I am interrupted by my 5 year old daughter asking me to help her open a chocolate bar.
Ah..the simple joys of being with family!


I am grateful to Jomar Hilario, VA and online marketing expert and my mentor, because he gave me a chance to share my story to his newsletter subscribers.  Here's a screen shot of this feature; but for the benefit of those who want to read it clearly and access the very helpful links, I've copy-pasted the letter below as well.

Here's a New Year's True story to inspire you!

I attended Jomar's Virtual Assistant worshop last September 18, 2010.  It opened my eyes to a new world I've never seen before and never thought of as possible:  WORKING FROM HOME. 

Yes, this is what a stressed-out corporate 9 to 5 working mom like me needs. It's an answered prayer, a gift of getting the best of both worlds:  to earn income + have more time for my family. 

It doesn't stop at the worshop. 

It starts by getting things done. 

I did the "assignment", created a blogsite about it (http://www.virtualmompreneur.blogspot.com) and worked on My Profile/Portfolio.

From there, I started 'marketing' my skills and competencies to potential clients.  And lo and behold! Last November, I was contracted by 2 US-based clients and they're paying me in US dollar$ ! All these for doing online work part-time, around 1 to 2 hours a day.  I still have my day job, you know, but I'm able to manage well and earn good extra income.  What more if I do it full-time!?! 

Well, that's what I plan to get on eventually, in the very near future.  I always keep tabs of Jomar's online lessons, especially that of the Facebook marketing lessons.  I applied lesson # 2 for one of my client's Facebook pages which I created, and guess what?! My client was so impressed that he gave me a bonus this month - that's extra $$ again!  Here are the links to the Facebook fan pages I created:

DMS ENTERTAINMENT:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/DMSEntertainment/174298452593682v=app_112078882147346

MASE:  http://www.facebook.com/mase.dmsent

CAMILLE:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/CaMille/137413432982638?ref=ts

SONJA:  http://www.facebook.com/sonja.dms

I want to keep on learning, because I want to go on earning!  I just availed of Jomar's Online Marketing Worshop (now at 50% off until Wednesday, Jan 5 2011).  I want to learn how to unlock the potential of earning passive income and other online marketing tools that could enhance my skills.

Keep your dreams alive, and chase it...now!  Cheers to a prosperous 2011!

Aileen Cortez. Paranaque

Now live a marvelous life!

Jomar Hilario

P.S. Would you like to live a life like hers? Or a better version? you need to start. now.  Try the downloadable VA seminar or the Online Mentoring Club at 50% off

==================================here's to following and chasing dreams! cheers!

My First 'This is It!'

The image above is a screenshot from my oDesk notification box sent by a client for the VA job that I applied to.  It says " I would like to give you a 30 day paid trial period to see if we work well together.  Are you ok with this?  If so, how soon could you start? "

Michael Jackson declared 'This Is It!' when he was about to give one of the greatest and final performances of his music life.  He was preparing for the consummation of his music career...then we all knew what happened next.   When I got the message above, I also said to myself, 'This Is It!'  Meaning, I mark this message as a new beginning of my career in working online and working and earning from home.  Due to some reasons, I'm still not quite ready yet to do this full time.  But I've given myself a deadline, then I'm out of the traditional office rat race.  This is a good place to start for me now.  'This Is It!'  The first step, as Lao Tsu said, could lead to a thousand journeys...and for me, I claim,  thousands of satisfied clients, thousands of dollars, hundreds and thousands of hours more time spent with my family :-)

A First for Being Bold and Daring

For almost three weeks now,  I've started client hunting over at oDesk.  Every aspiring virtual assistant should be familiar with this online hub where job seekers and job employers meet and do an exchange of services.  For about a week, I built my resume and portfolio.    It's a must for VA's to have a comprehensive resume and portfolio. It's easy.  You too can start it now.


Armed with my resume, I started to spread the 'good news' to about 10 employers that I could be the best out there to fufill their service requirements.  Out of the 10, 1 heeded my call and requested for an interview:

Yahooo!  At least 1 took notice.  Actually, the posting stated that the employer needed someone with at least 4-star feedback and at least one hour odesk job experience. Me?  I had zero.  Yet, I boldly stated in my cover later that 

"I am taking a shot at the moon applying for this post.  I still do not have any Odesk work experience.  I am sorry if I pursued this, inspite of your specifications to have Odesk work and feedback.  Yet, I believe that I have the makings of a "mogul", with an openness to learn, gain and enhance my online skills and be a well rounded team player. ..."  

It really pays to be bold and daring oftentimes... For three days now, we've exchanged messages ---throwing more questions at me and asked me to submit a sample work.  Now, it's the waiting game...hoping, wishing, praying...no matter what the result is, I'll wear a smile on my face and keep that bold and daring spirit.

I Test, therefore I Am...Part 2

To pick-up from where I left-off in my previous post,  another online testing venue for Virtual Assistant aspirants is Brainbench.  Getting a certification from Brainbench adds another feather to your cap, which is your resume or portfolio.

I Test, therefore I Am...

One of the initial steps that a would-be / aspiring virtual assistant should take is to build a portfolio or a resume of one's experiences, education/training, work samples...all these elements should give one's prospective client a clear picture of one's qualifications.

One of the more effective ways of presenting a virtual assistant's skills and aptitude is by taking online tests that measure one's knowledge and skill that match with a particular job requirement.

I am currently building my portfolio at oDesk, a virtual assistant's hub to find online jobs.  I am taking as many skill-focused tests as I can so as proof to a prospective employer that my listed knowledge and skills are backed-up by diagnostic test scores.

 I am thrilled, proud, and owe myself a pat on the back with this recent test score that I got:

Doesn't that make you feel like you're on top of the food chain? Well, it could be a jungle out there...

My destination is to be a work and earn from home mom.  Being a virtual assistant or a virtual entrepreneur is my road.  I've got pave it smoothly with my portfolio.  You just gotta start somewhere. Start it here, start it now.

SURVEY SAYS! - A Virtual Assistant's tool in creating super surveys

A virtual assistant's role is to make things easier for the client.  One of these may revolve around getting feedback from a particular market segment or group.  Gone are the days when one has to go around with survey forms and pens and inconvenience someone with this oft avoided questions:  "May I take 5 minutes of your time?..." Surveys can now be done online, at one's convenient time and place .  They can now be integrated into blog sites, web sites and social media sites, etc.  where people more often than not, openly interact with each other.  Here's a tool that would show your client that you're not monkeying around.

Aileen_cortez_how to Use Survey Monkey

FROM A DISTANCE: A Virtual Assistant's tool for sharing what's on your screen

Sometimes, a virtual assistant's client needs a visual walk-through on how processes are done, be it a report or a graphic design, or reading directions from a map or uploading a video on youTube.  No amount of words in an could be able to spell it out crystal clear  and fast if your client wants it n-o-w.  A virtual assistant should  be able to find a way on how to show what exactly's happening on the screen monitor, what buttons are you pressing, etc...

The 'print screen' button on one's keyboard is kinda old school for this already.  Here's a software that gives it to in your face!
Aileen_cortez_how to Use Jing

SAY YOU, SAY ME: A Virtual Assistant's tool for communication

Communication is an intergral part of a VA's routine.  Technology has enabled realtime communication among people from opposite sides of the globe.  One of the tools or software used in realtime communication is IM or instant messaging.  Widely used and popular here in the Philippines is Yahoo Messenger or YM.  Here's an easy to follow guide on how to use Yahoo Messenger.

Aileen_cortez_how to Use Yahoo Messenger